By Odigene Joseph Jr.

 

December 18, 2006

 

 

 

Step one. I struggle now as the weight of my hardship presses against my back;

 

I have risen again from my doom once more;

 

The scars of this life are relentless as I fight on.

 

 

 

Step two. Perseverance holds as my demons thunder over me;

 

The light inside gives hope within this gruesome war;

 

As it rages on, I find peace inside my soul.

 

 

 

Step three. I slip to my fall!

 

The barriers around me shatter;

 

Piece by searing piece they seep into my body;

 

Emotions fall from the sky like rain, which disguise my tears;

 

I lie here motionless, patient for nothing.

 

 

 

With everything inside wasting away, a spirit of light shines through it all;

 

Washing away the darkness, it cleanses me, purifying from head to toe;

 

I rise once more to win it all.

 

 

 

ninetyandnine.com

 

 

 

© 2006, Odigene Joseph Jr.

 

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Odigene Joseph Jr. is from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  He is 7/8 Haitian and 1/8 Dominican. He came to America around age 3 and has been writing poems since the 7th grade. One day he would like to have a good career and involve his writing style in poetry.