Grief and Rising

Discover the transformative power of "Grief and Rising," a poignant poem that marks a significant milestone in the healing journey of its author, who penned these heartfelt verses after leaving the Boulder Crest Retreat Center. This deeply personal work delves into the complexities of facing pain, embracing emotions, and articulating one's truth, all while navigating the challenges of living with Post Traumatic Stress.

The poem, now song, serves as a powerful anthem of resilience, celebrating the courage it takes to become a warrior for oneself and for others. Accompanied by the evocative music of fellow Navy Veteran JS Worldbridger, this collaboration enhances the emotional depth of the piece, inviting listeners to connect with their own experiences of healing and empowerment. "Grief and Rising" is not just a poem; it is a call to action for anyone seeking to confront their struggles and rise above them, making it an essential addition to the collection of those who value art as a means of personal and collective healing.

Original poem:

Grief and Rising

Missing the innocent girl I was
Miss the trusting girl I was
I miss the girl who chased her dream to serve
her country
Thinking that the six guys and chain of command had
killed her,
Just go through the motions
Afraid to trust
Afraid to feel
Dissociate because that is what she was taught
Sometimes I have thought, “why did you not fight them and make them kill you, why did you just lay there, why did you not jump when you had the chance”
Sometimes I have wanted to get rid of this body, to hide this body
so that men would not look at me or hurt me again
But the belief it happened because of what I was wearing and that
I was too drunk came from society, not me.

It is time to unlearn everything that society has taught me,
Time to learn to feel, to stay present, to cry, to be angry, to laugh, to sing,
to dance, to dream, to tell my truth.
I am learning every day that there are more threads to me
That I have been rising and changing, rediscovering who I am
becoming who I want to be
putting the broken pieces back together and becoming an arrow
continuing to rise into the light.
Shining light on the things that I have never told anyone
letting go of old habits, old ways of doing things
I will become who I want to be and the world is going to hear me, ROAR!!

I will speak my truth, and they will hear me.
I do not care what they think
No more excuses! No more abuse
I am back! I have the little girl back. She is stronger
She is beautiful. Yes she is changed, but she is complex, caring,
compassionate, understanding and she is faultless

She has brought with her: Patience, Truth, Anger, and Empowerment
She is not alone and together we will rise.

This track is now available for purchase https://www.juliejulessmootsoundalchemist.com/