Do you know me?
Do you see me?
Can you hear me?
You’ve watched me carry myself with composure,
a queen commanding respect.
You see me smile with confidence
and laugh off petty annoyances.
You see me stand erect, proud and strong.
I do not trip or stumble.
But look closely;
there are cracks in my smile
and moisture in my eyes.
There are scars on my knees
and my nails are bitten off.
Listen closely;
there is hesitation in my laughter,
and uncertainty in my voice.
So do you see; do you hear?
Then you should know me.
So when my knees buckle
and I fall on my face,
when my eyes flood
and I cry in pain,
do you see weakness?
Do you know me?
Because I am still a queen;
do not doubt my strength.
I will pry myself off the ground,
wipe the blood from my knees
and the tears from my face
and take you onto my back and carry you.
I am not one that looks down in disappointment
at the fallen or the suffering,
because my crown is made of my failures,
I have been there more times than you know.
But I always get up and move forward,
and I will reach out my hand to help you back on your feet.
It is your decision to take it.
So do you know me?
I am the queen of humility
and resilience.