By Devika Bhoite
The given poem is about series of events that took place when I encountered by vulnerability and how it led to my epiphany) so here it goes ….
Like a weak man trying to cage it with anger, aggression, or toxic masculinity,
or a piston trying to stop an incessant flow of water, only to get doomed as a failure.
I tried too but she was inevitable.
She paved her way out and appeared before me, exuding a powerful light,
that caused me inexplicable pain.
Engulfed by the sudden storm and overwhelmed by pain,
I initially confused her with my demons.
And then,
As the storm passed and the veil of pain lifted, leaving me feeling light and blank.
There before me she stood, looking right into my eyes,
"I recognized you. You are my vulnerability, I said."
She grinned and then rectified me.
Yes, she was my authentic self.
Rattled by her powerful presence,
I froze there in awe of her glory.
She then drew herself near me and touched my temples,
inducing a sharp wave of pain, which pulsated through my brain and then through my heart,
breaking the shackles of my nugatory beliefs.
She then withdrew herself and, in that moment, as if awakened from a long slumber, I saw everything clearly…
There stood before me was my beautiful true self.
And then began a series of realizations……
Only when I acknowledged my vulnerability,
I met my authentic self.
Only when I accepted my vulnerability,
did I understand what the road to freedom looks like.
Only when I allowed myself to be vulnerable,
I allowed myself to heal.
Only when I embraced my vulnerability,
I could embrace my flaws.
Only when I stopped being afraid of my vulnerability,
did I actually help others to feel safe with theirs
Only when I disclosed my vulnerability,
did I understand who my true friends were.
Only when I shared my vulnerability,
I managed to build a bridge to form true connections.
Only when I took pride in my vulnerability,
I realized the strength of my character.
For being vulnerable takes courage,
as vulnerability is an attribute of the strongest.
For vulnerability is not a weakness,
but it is the core of humanity.
For being vulnerable means being human.
As I understood my lessons, she smiled and merged with me,
only to wake me up again, this time from my actual sleep,
only to make me realize that she was me.