After the fight

I didn’t wake up healed.

I woke up breathing.

And somehow… that was enough.

Morning light in tired eyes

Ghosts still linger, never said goodbye

I carry pieces of who I was

They don’t own me not anymore

Learned the weight don’t disappear

Just built my shoulders year by year

Every scar still knows my name

Now they speak but don’t hold chains

I meet my gaze, don’t turn away

Half a nod like, “Yeah I stayed.”

Some days quiet, some days loud

Not lost just finding ground

This is the calm after fire and rain

I’m still breathing through the change

I don’t grow fast, I grow real and slow

Let the light in, learn to glow

Not fearless, I still stay

Even when hope comes late

I don’t win every war I face

But I found life after pain

I stopped explainin’ every crack

Some stories don’t deserve the facts

I don’t owe strength for wounds I carry

Just quiet nights that move me steady

I learned to rest without regret

Let joy come in without a debt

Used to think peace had to be earned

Now I know it’s something learned

Still write my truth when nights feel long

Still talk to God when faith feels gone

Still ask myself the reasons why

But questioning ain’t sayin’ goodbye

This is the calm after fire and rain

I’m still standing in the change

I don’t shine loud, I glow true

I don’t need saving I choose to stay

Not fearless, I still stay

Even when nothing feels the same

I don’t win every war I face

But I found life after pain

No one tells you about the silence

After survival.

When the noise fades

But you’re still shaking.

Healing isn’t loud.

It’s choosing to stay.

Again.

And again

I don’t need chaos to feel strong

I don’t confuse pain with belonging

I choose softer kinds of brave

Like letting peace unpack and stay

If darkness knocks, I don’t run

I’ve met that fear I’ve overcome

I know its shape, I know its end

And I don’t walk alone again

I forgave parts I used to fight

Thanked my past for one more night

I didn’t break I rearranged

Turned survival into shape

This is the life after the flame

Still imperfect, still awake

I don’t fear the cracks in me

They let in who I’m meant to be

I’m not cured, I’m not done

I’m just finally becoming someone

Who believes their heart can stay

Here , after the pain

I stayed.

And the world didn’t end.

It opened.