Someone whose stare cuts into my soul -

Not just the pieces I want to show,

But the broken,

Sad,

Terrorizing,

Dark and desolate bits.

The fragments of hopes and dreams,

The shards of broken hearts,

The clawing ache of relationships

Turned sour,

Severed

Marred by grief and pain.

The twisted splinters

Of depression

And mourning

And jarring anxiety.

Someone who sees the stark truth

Of the darkness within

And can say

I see you,

I stand witness to the scars you bear,

I stand witness to the endless grief in your soul,

I see it,

I see you,

And I am unafraid.

I see the vengeance and torture and unyielding burden,

The unending battle,

The onslaught of terror and anguish,

I see all of these -

And I stand in silent witness,

And I know the war you fight

Is ageless

And I know the crushing weight

Of the afflictions of your soul.

I see yourstrife

Andthe cost of these chains.

I have seen your darkness

And I am unafraid.

I have seen the mangled remains of light and hope

Within you

And I stand witness to your strength.

I have seen the desolation and dire weaknesses

Of your heart

And I witness the ferocity of your will to survive.

Someone whose eyes pierce my deepest pain

With eyes wide open

And says I see you

And I understand

And you will survive this.