today i found myself in unfamiliar country.

today i found myself a stranger –

surrounded by many;

yet alone on my particular journey.

 

today i found myself engaging with life outside my comfort zone –

recognition,

not an option,

from travelers with agendas of exclusion.

and while uncomfortable with the transparency of my unfamiliar vulnerability,

i realized with extreme clarity the composition of my character.

 

today i found myself naked –

pretension removed –

intention perceived –

direction,

redefined.

 

today i let go of the who i was,

and found –

the me i am…

words.

powerful.

capable of building up –

and tearing down.

 

responsible for fluctuation in attitude,

rise and fall of the tide –

emotion.

 

spoken in haste,

can deconstruct villages of trust years in the making.

spoken without consideration;

affections greatest liability…

 

all too often we choose retaliation over arbitration.

fully aware –

feelings worn deliberately on sleeves,

encounter more option of denigration.

 

and  yet somehow,

with cracks clearly visible in our glass walls,

we choose to deny ownership of the rocks…

 

check your pockets.

i personally found several in mine…