Longing to belong I walk 

cold water beaches stopping 

to caress thunderworn trees

branches broken and torn off

roots tangled still clinging to 

rocks clinging to memories of 

an ancient time when I was 

rooted in another’s womb

when the seed of me settled 

into a familiar forest

long before I lost my way and 

couldn’t find myself 

The thing about belonging is 

It isn’t something I can hold in my hands

It isn’t someone that can wrap 

arms around me It isn’t outside 

Me…

The thing about belonging 

is believing I have a right 

to exist  I have a right to exist  You have a right 

to exist  And now I claim it  

I belong  You belong

Because we were born

Because once we claim ourselves

There is nothing we have to do 

to belong to anyone else    

I claim Me over and over as many times 

as it takes to remember that this rightful place 

is Mine to claim Alone