Because of Him, I Stand

I was a dent.
I was the poison that filled and killed any man who came near me.
I was the painful tearing of heart and flesh,
The pouring of salt and lemon juice on wounds,
The kicking while they were down
And dragging them through the mud.
I was a dent.

Then he came into my life.

I became a jewel.
I sparkle with light at the mere thought of him holding me.
I am the thrill of love begetting love,
The sheer joy of intertwining hearts,
The mental collaboration and shared wanting
Of years and years to come.
I became a jewel.

He chose to stay.

I stood afraid.
I blanched at the concept that he might leave me.
I feared the pain I had caused in my past,
Afraid it would come back,
Afraid it would rear its ugly head,
Afraid I would feel yet again the pain of loss.
I stood afraid.

He isn't.
He stands in love.

He calls to me and talks me down from my tree.
Soothing words fill my head and heart,
He understands where I come from, what I've done,
He knows who I was, but knows something more important:
He knows who I am now, who I've become, better than I do.
He stands in love.

And now I stand.

I am strong.
He calls me a strong woman, leaving stability to chase hope.
What he doesn't seem to realize is, as strong as I may seem,
My strength is based on his love,
My strength is held by his love,
My strength is empowered and lifted on his love.
I am strong.

Because of him, I stand.

Because of him, I stand.