The times of our lives

are in the quiet spaces

between shame and uncertainty

where anxiety was borne of mistrust

in all the dark places we’ve tried to forget.

the times of our lives

are the ones that break us to pieces

so that we may see the vastness

of our beings

when we feel we have lost it all

piece by sharp piece

with bloodied fingertips

we begin to build again

that which craved renovation all along.

xox. Stanley Jo