Hidden Strength Poem by Tor Magnor Solvang

Fifteen moons have passed me by,
Since I said goodbye to the hazy sky.
Living quiet, in my own space,
But frustration's shadow, a constant chase.

Night and day, the stress does creep,
Whispering worries, while I try to sleep.
Only one small slip, a single beer,
Which should be acceptable, for a whole long year.

The old ways call when worries bite,
A quick fix sought in darkest night.
Smoking's puff, or drink's embrace,
Familiar comfort, time and space.

When pressure builds and feelings stew,
The brain remembers what it knew.
A speedy balm, a false relief,
To calm the storm, to ease the grief.

Guilt might whisper, shame might sting,
Old habits hide what troubles bring.
A way to shield, a way to hide,
From feelings deep, that churn inside.

When anger flares, and temper's frayed,
The body weakens, unafraid
To seek the old, the known escape,
From stress's grip, its weary shape.

But change can bloom, a different way,
To face the challenge, greet the day.
With movement strong, or quiet thought,
A new pursuit, a lesson taught.

Rewiring pathways, strong and new,
To handle stress, and see it through.
Not with a habit, quick and deep,
But with the strength that we can keep.

T.M.Solvang