Speak from your soul

not from your pain

though pain has sharpened your voice

it was never meant to be the whole story

Pain will tell you

to defend

to strike

to vanish

It speaks in heat and reflex

But your soul

your soul speaks in roots

and rain

and the hush that follows understanding

Let the ache rise

and pass through you

like smoke through sky

but do not build your house there

There is a place beyond the wound

where the soul still knows beauty

still sings

still offers the hand

without trembling

Speak from there

Even if your voice shakes

Especially then