Strong

Geiranger Fjord, Norway, August 2015

I am tired of being strong.
I want to scream, surrender,
let go without remorse,
hide away in my shelter
until the storm is over,
sleep until the break of dawn.

I am tired of being strong,
of wearing every day a suit of armor,
of putting on a helmet made of smiles,
of venturing to conquer a new day
be it sunny or cold or stormy
to look after everybody’s safe return.

I am tired of being strong,
of keeping most hidden away
my fears, my pains,
my insecurities, my complexes,
my wounds, my success,
of changing tears into peace.

But I am alive
and I will keep on wearing my cuirass,
my helmet, my smile,
my uncertainties and my peace,
and I will look happiness in the eyes
as long as it takes for us to be just one.