Sometimes I stand on the edge of myself -

half fire, half frost,

burning for something I can't name

and freezing from the fear of wanting it.

Some days, I am a storm of conviction:

loud, sure, unshakable.

Other days, I fold into silence,

a whisper afraid of its own echo.

I crave softness -

yet, I armor my heart with steel.

I long to stay - 

yet, every bone in me aches to run.

I reach toward the light,

and still, shadows cling to me.

I love the quiet,

yet, I ache for chaos and thunder.

And still - 

even with the conflict humming beneath my ribs

I exist in the in-between,

breathing, searching, becoming.

Because somewhere inside me,

beneath the noise and the doubt, 

there is a truth whispering:

You are allowed to be both.

You are allowed to be the fire and the ice.

You are allowed to be the storm

and the calm after it.

- Midnight thoughts...