to heal
you have to
get to the root
of the wound
and kiss it all the way up

It's painful, but we can't heal ourselves unless we cleanse the wounds.

I sat with myself one day and asked, 'Who is in those prestigious literary circles? Do they represent me? Do they appreciate the topics I write about and the style in which I write? Do those gatekeepers let a demographic like mine through the door?' And the answer was no.

When things get better, there's a swing to the pendulum where things get worse for others.

Like the rainbow
after the rain
joy will reveal itself
after sorrow

never feel guilty for starting again