My hero wasn’t always my hero— They grew into the role Organically, Unintentionally. Truthfully, I don’t even think they know how much I admire the strength they show, how they’ve taught me to be brave— to keep going when your whole world is burning down, to never forget the ones in your charge even when you are going through something really hard, how to stay soft in a cruel, hard world, Like rain in a drought: gentle, healing and rare how to be human even when you must pull on inhuman strength. I thought my hero was unbreakable, unshakable even. Then I saw the first crack in their armor It wasn’t loud— Nothing dramatic— just a slow shatter. This crack was an internal collapse, only visible as an inaudible cry. That’s when I learned about real strength: True strength is vulnerable. It bends. It kneels. It allows its pain to be seen— so it doesn’t break. And I finally understood: My hero was a warrior Who had been to battle, and survived. A real warrior’s armor can’t be flawless. It has been worn. It has defended, and withstood attack. So seeing that crack, witnessing those tears, didn’t make me see my hero as weak. It gave me hope. Hope that one day I would make it through my own battles, wear my own armor— An armor that won’t hide emotions won’t cover up the pain— But will show the world I’m a warrior too, who has made it through a few battles, and survived. Just like my mom. My hero. M.R. Jones
With a great deal of respect I appreciated your Excellent Honorable Ode to your wonderful Mother. I share your opinion 100%, as my Mother also took on the world alone after My Father passed away. She never remarried nor had new men prancing in & out of her life & home, which she could have easily done as a truly beautiful woman. I too in my early teens recognized the burden and pain she endured to raise two Children by herself.
Therefore, allow me to tip my hat to you out of respect for taking the time to create such a wonderful poem out of respect and honor of your Mothers efforts to protect you until you could fly on your own.
May God Continue to Bless you and your Family Echoes from the Fire.
OMNIGod
…splendid tribute, M.R.
And while Hope is always eternal … I suspect you’re wearing the very armour that is amassing The Wear and The Scars that make you a Hero Warrior, too, My Friend.