We close our eyes,

for the brief millisecond that

a blink lasts, and we

are back in the room that moulded

the rage we wear like a robe

today. We

close our eyes and

the terror of the darkness lingers

longer than the peace

of the light that caught us running.

But we are okay. We

have been okay since we

found the community

of outcasts like us. We

are finding our voice and our

place on this earth.

Sailing in these waters, in this ship

surrounded by fleets, of armies,

that demand we go extinct. We

are okay.

You and I,

a collection of history,

our backs bear the burden of stories

untold. You

and I, brown as the dust

from whence we came,

cloaked in the red

of the anger that fuels us;

we are okay.

I am standing in this room, speaking

to the Portal of Messages,

my hand entwined in my imagination

of yours, and I say

"We are okay".

You are beautiful, courageous

for what you stand for.

you will find your voice

in time, I promise.

So when you feel the panic,

take a breath, name five things

you can see;

feel the air, breathe it in,

you're right where you're meant to be.

You and I, we are worthy

of the kindness we give, the warmth

we receive.

We are worthy

of the rains, and the sun

and this air in our lungs.

We made it through. We

are okay.