Take Two

It doesn't matter how

You get knocked down again.

It doesn't matter

Who does it.

It doesn't matter when,

Or why it happens.

Whatever the reason, it happens.

You have options.

Depending on

Which option you take,

Your choices

Down the road

Will either get larger

Or smaller in number.

First option.

You can channel

Your anger

Or hatred

Or disgust

Or fear

Or disdain

Or any other

Emotional byproduct

In the direction

Of the cause of your fall.

You can do this for a moment.

An hour.

A day.

You can do this every moment, of every day,

For the rest of your life.

Second option.

You can fight against yourself,

Push your emotions back inside,

Pretend it didn't happen,

Pretend that everything is exactly

The way you want it.

You can keep doing this,

Over and over again,

Until your emotional byproducts

Overflow the banks

Of your immortal soul-river,

And you are left with a swamp.

Third option.

You can speak up, dare to show your hurt,

Dare to let others know you are human,

That your heart works,

That you, too, have need of compassion.

You can dare to let your shield down.

It will shift the reality of your own

And others' lives.

Some will hate you.

Some will admire,

Even applaud you.

Some will be inspired by you.

Some will go to you for help.

Some will extend to you

The compassion you ache for.

Be vulnerable.

Be open.

Be real.

Be You.

Adam Scott Campbell