You broke me, you made me

Free like a bird.

As I sit here and think about how time flies,

I remember every person who’s played a role in my life.

I remember all the tears, all the hurt, and the smiles.

I remember all the fears, all the lows, and the highs.

As new people have walked in, plenty have walked out.

Some have stuck around sincerely, and some have messed about.

Some cared for my well-being, and some I could have done without.

To me, it doesn’t matter what category you belong to.

Why you’re here or why you left or what you plan to do.

What matters is you’ve helped in one way or another.

To break me, to build me, to make me a lot stronger.

• Chika Anene