i know that it has been a while,

that you are tired of seeing that person

that you love struggle. they are tired, too.

~~~~~

but please remember that while ‘just get

on with it’ works for some, that a person

who has experienced trauma still wears

it within their frame. 

~~~~

it is not an experience to forget, 

it is an internal fracture because  

of the experience. 

~~~~

you would not tell someone whose leg 

was broken to just get back to walking. 

the injury of your person is unseen 

and they have likely tried to ‘walk’

on it far too long already. 

~~~~

healing takes time. and support. 

physio for the heart and understanding

as a dressing for the soul. and maybe the help 

of someone who has learned the ways of healing 

for the mind. there will come a time for them 

to get on with it, but it will likely not be when 

you think they should.

~~~~

and they might always have a limp. 

but they will have grown and will be stronger 

in other remarkable ways. with time.

~~~~

—-walking beside someone who is hurting is not easy, but is vital & important work. 

©Heather Pound 2022