Open Hands

I was born with my hands wide open, heart soft as the morning light. Saw the good in the broken people, held their shadows through the night. I forgave what I should have run from, made excuses for every storm. Gave my fire to colder spirits just to keep their winters warm. I have walked through the same dark valley, gave my strength to the wrong hands too. Let the takers drink from my spirit till I barely made it through. I was quiet when I should’ve spoken, lost my voice to keep the peace. But the silence became a warning that my soul was breaking piece by piece. And the giving left me empty. And the empty made me see. I was never meant for ruin. I was born for more than grief. We are rising from the dust, from the ruins of the ones we used to be. All the pieces that were taken are returning back to me. We are rising from the dust, from the hands that tried to claim our flame. We are stronger than the ashes, and we’ll never burn the same. When I stopped feeding all their hunger, the vultures circled overhead. Angry that my light was leaving, angry they no longer fed. So I walked into sacred silence, years alone to heal my bones. Unwound every lie they taught me, learned to stand inside my own. I remember the weight of healing, how the quiet felt like stone. How the nights were long and endless when you face the dark alone. But the Valkyrie came calling, lifting who I used to be. And I rose through fire and memory till the sky was calling me. I wobbled when the winds were heavy. I faltered when the storms grew wild. Then a great phoenix flew beside me. And I knew her flame the moment she smiled. We are rising from the dust, from the ruins of the ones we used to be. Every heartbreak, every lesson built the fire setting us free. We are rising from the dust, and the sky is calling out our names. We are stronger than the ashes, and we’ll never burn the same. You caught me when my wings were shaking. You steadied me when mine lost flight. You showed me I was never broken. You taught me how to trust the light. Now we circle over mountains. Now we rise through open skies. Calling out to every ember, you can learn to rise. We are rising from the dust, from the ruins of the souls we used to be. All the fire we were hiding is the fire making us free. We are rising from the dust, and the world will never be the same. We are stronger than the ashes, and we’ll never burn the same.