Annealed Poem by Mike Smith

Very rarely is it indeed
That anyone amongst us learns incredible truths
Opens unseen windows into the essence of their being
Grows into a more remarkable form of their prior self
While events in their lives are going smoothly
While all is well
And the world seems pleasant and accommodating
No
It is rather
When we find ourselves troubled
Abysmal
Darkness surrounding and doom lurking on either shoulder
When the path back to good places is unapparent
Clouded
Obstructed
Obscured or impossible to perceive
When we are in a conflict merely to go on
To not roll over and accept the terrible fate lying before us
Fighting so as not to give in to the horrors of our situation
This is when we discover the greatness in us
This is when we prove ourselves worthy of our gift of life
These times
These trials of insurmountable adversity
These are the things that build character

I am grateful for every fond memory of the world that I have
But without the terrible memories to go along
I wouldn't have ever known half of them
I wouldn't know of the potential residing inside me
Waiting to be stirred up by the next terror that tries to tear me down
I wouldn't know my own strength
My quintessential element of resilience and determination
I wouldn't know me
I still don't
Not in full
Not yet
Because in time
It is all but certain
Dark days will come again
And regardless of the form they take on
Or the damage they inflict
I will once more emerge
Changed yet again
And this time embrace the difference
Not as some scar gained in the battle for happiness
But as the power I now know it to be
- - - - -
I am not haunted by my past
I am emboldened by it