Pinnacle Poem by Mary Jae Stowers

I think I'm ready to stop making excuses
for the things I know hurt me.
I want to be proud of the way I live
When nobody is watching.

I want my mother to see me
Become someone she can trust.
I want to wake up and not have to wonder
what I did the night before.

I want peace more than I want
another temporary escape.
I want to be honest even when the truth
makes me uncomfortable.

And maybe growing up is simply that
The realization, the pinnacle of existence
Is finally knowing what you want your life to look like,
and having the courage to stop living against it.

I don't need to become someone perfect.
I just want to become someone I can respect.
Someone Younger me,
Would have loved to be like.