i do not find inspiration

in the way they can preach to me.

but if i see them on that elevated place, the hill past the battleground they’ve conquered. the story they are able to tell because of it.

that makes me look up.

(i’m inspired by their life’s story // it was never about the advice they could give.)

sitting before you

is someone who’s lived a vastly different reality than you

whether internally or externally.

find the differences among you

to shatter what you thought you knew about “the” world,

find the similarities between you

to start to piece it together again.

you’ll find it it takes on a new shape and more space

each time