Well, it seems it’s still important
to be patient with myself,
to count the little victories
of smoothing of emotions,
the lessening
of all the old reactions
and a quicker rebound
when I fall

It seems I don’t get to suddenly
transcend my former self,
don’t get to be made new
all at once

It comes in flashes,
and they may grow more frequent,
may stretch out into longer stands of light.
Part of the learning
is equilibrium
and loving even what I leave behind.

©Wendy Mulhern
June 23, 2017