Kiss the Thorns By Destiny Cheyenne Wilson

Kiss the Thorns

2nd Place Winner

by Destiny Cheyenne Wilson

Cherish the weeds.

Admire the flies.

Taste the bitter saltiness of the sea.

Kiss the thorns.

Revel in tears.

Praise the rocks that trip you.

Remember the coarse ground scraping your paper skin.

Remember the sweat dribbling down your brow.

Remember the pungent Earth and dirt and scrub covering your hands.

For it is in these

Struggles we find triumph.

It is in these

Hardships we conquer.

We are flowers.

Reaching up through

Brambles and leaves,

To breakthrough,

To reach

The blessed sunshine.

We grow.

Taller, stronger,

Better.

These obstacles,

These burdens,

Only make us stronger.

Like carbon in scorching darkness,

Forms diamonds.

We need tribulation

To make us shine.