To My Warrior Friend, Tiffany Poem by Susan Christiansen

The best gifts are often those that take you by surprise.
This summer my gift was a friend,
A sister of the heart.
She is both brave and tireless,
a paradox and an open book.
A warrior in her own right.

She writes of warrior women,
But doesn’t recognize that Strength within herself.
Each morning she gets up to take on the demons again,
With optimism and humor.

Because the demons she fights,
are not for a country, land, nor principle.
Her foes can not be cut down
Or cut out.
They are insidious and persistent in their pitch and fervor.

These demons are fought within her mind,
A battleground insurmountable to all but her.
A day-to-day onslaught that she meets head on.
But the warrior attacks the battle as she attacks life,
Sometimes bruised and battle-worn,
Yet never balking at the fight.


Her spirit will not be vanquished,
She nurtures her body while she nurtures the mind of those she loves.
The seasoned warrior in her knows
To pick her battles and comrades carefully.
Negativity and silence only makes the enemy stronger.
Her voice rings loud and firm,
filled with conviction.

My warrior friend doesn’t realize that her greatest gifts
Are unintentional, yet they validate her.
She encourages us by her examples,
Inspires us by her honesty,
And Endures because she must.

Her strength is in knowing herself,
And letting the strength within her, guide her.
She knows,
as do all who care for her,
That life is a battle worth living.