Thanks for the Safe Space

I suffer
from my own
brand of PTSD

As a boy
I was often beaten
and repeatedly
told
"If you had
a brain
you'd be dangerous"

I barely made
it thru high school
I had no confidence
I joined the military
it was the only
thing I knew

My Air Force
step-dad
married my mom
when I was three
he came
from western Maine
paper mill town
he was abused
as a child
became rebellious
got in trouble
and was given the choice
jail or the military
he picked the Air Force

I never knew
what a happy
loving
family relationship
looked like
I had to
figure it out
on my own
making mistakes
along the way
trying to learn,
by watching others,
how to be
a real person
comfortable
with my own soul

The terror
around the world
still shakes me
that's why
I always pick
the underdog

It's remains a journey
for me
some days
I feel safe
and loving
other days
I feel broken
and alone
thankfully
MB helps me
as do
the many others
in my life

I thank them all
for their love
and patience
and for the
safe space
they provide
for me
each day