I used to think
healing meant changing—
that I needed to shed old skins
like lobsters do,
like progress does.

The truth is,
I am the guy who wants
to sit in the back
but is always asked to be in front—
who can be a fierce storm
but would rather be the calm after,
still every version of myself,
like laundry I never put away.

We don’t change,
we just learn how
to hold ourselves better,
carry the mess quieter,
make peace with the mirror—
to be less turbulent
and more assertive—
call it healing,
even if it’s not easy.

You are a big part
of everything
that makes me better.