Poem: The Light Within

Introduction:

As you’ve just read, the journey through trauma and mental health challenges is a deeply personal and often difficult one. Sharing my story isn't just about recounting the past—it's about reaching out to others who may be walking a similar path. But I know that delving into these topics can stir up powerful emotions, and I want to acknowledge that.

If you found yourself feeling triggered or overwhelmed by what you've just read, I want you to know that it's okay to feel that way. These are heavy topics, and they can bring up a lot of pain. But I also want to offer you a moment of peace, a space to breathe and find comfort.

Below is a poem that I hope will serve as a balm for your soul. It’s written with the intention of bringing you solace, offering a gentle reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is light to be found. Let this be a pause, a place where you can rest and gather your strength before moving forward.

Out of the shadows of yesterday’s scars,  
A flicker of light, a glimpse of the stars.  
Worthlessness whispers, a voice that deceives,  
But deep in your soul, you still believe.  

It tells you you're nothing, too broken to mend,  
But strength lies in knowing this isn’t the end.  
The past may have hurt you, left bruises and pain,  
But with every new dawn, you rise again.  

For worth isn’t measured by others' cold eyes,  
Nor in the echoes of forgotten goodbyes.  
It’s found in the moments when you refuse to fall,  
When you stand on your feet and walk through it all.  

You are the sum of each breath that you take,  
Of the kindness you give and the chances you make.  
The weight of your past cannot define  
The beauty within that continues to shine.  

So lift your chin, let the world see your face,  
You are more than your wounds, you are filled with grace.  
Worthiness is yours, not something to earn,  
In the fires of your spirit, watch the flames burn.  

Let go of the voices that say you’re too small,  
For inside, you're mighty—stand proud, stand tall.  
You are enough, you always have been,  
And in your heart, new stories begin.  

No matter the storms, no matter the fight,  
You carry within you a limitless light.  
So step from the shadows, and let your heart soar,  
For worthlessness holds no power anymore.

This poem is deeply rooted in the shadows of my own childhood, a place where worthlessness was not just a feeling but a daily reality. The inspiration came from my personal journey through a childhood riddled with emotional neglect, verbal abuse, and an overwhelming sense of isolation. When you're a child and the people who are supposed to love you instead diminish you, it warps the way you see yourself. That sense of worthlessness becomes a core belief, shaping your worldview and self-perception in ways you don’t even realise until much later in life.

Writing this poem was about reclaiming that narrative and flipping it on its head. As a child, when birthdays were cancelled or moments of achievement were met with indifference or outright hostility, I felt invisible. I felt unworthy of love, attention, or even basic kindness. There’s a moment from my childhood that I still carry—the memory of being told by my father that he hated me. That kind of declaration from a parent rips you apart in ways you can’t even process when you’re that young. It imprints on your psyche, leaving you questioning your very existence. How do you process that kind of rejection at such a formative stage of life?

The poem reflects a journey—starting in the darkness but moving toward light. It’s about recognising the lies that worthlessness tells you and understanding that those beliefs were never yours to begin with. They were the product of an environment that failed to nurture and protect. The stanza about ‘worth not being measured by others’ cold eyes’ reflects that painful truth from my childhood, where love and approval were withheld as though they were prizes I could never win. The belief that I was fundamentally flawed came from those moments, but the poem is a reminder that those wounds don’t define me. 

Worthiness isn’t something that can be taken away just because someone doesn’t see it. That’s something I’ve had to learn, and continue to learn, through years of inner work. It’s a process—sometimes daily—of unlearning the harsh inner dialogue that was programmed into me. The line ‘you are enough, you always have been’ is almost like speaking directly to the child I was—the one who didn’t believe he was good enough for anything, let alone love.

The poem isn’t just about overcoming abuse or rejection. It’s about finding the strength to believe in your own inherent worth despite what was drilled into you during your most vulnerable years. Abuse leaves deep scars, but healing begins when you realise that the source of that worthlessness was external—it was never you. I’ve had to remind myself that worth isn’t measured by accomplishments or the opinions of others. It’s a birthright. And that’s what this poem tries to convey: no matter what happened, no matter how broken you were made to feel, there’s a strength inside you that’s always been there. 

For me, writing this poem was about honouring that journey. It was about acknowledging the pain of those childhood years while also recognising the incredible resilience it took to survive them. It’s a message of hope, not just for me, but for anyone who’s ever felt the weight of worthlessness, a reminder that healing is possible, and that your worth is beyond measure.

Closing Thoughts:
Remember, healing is a journey, and it’s okay to take it one step at a time. If you ever feel like the weight is too much to bear, reach out to someone who can help lighten the load. You're not alone, and there is always light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how long the tunnel may seem. 
Thank you for allowing me to share this space with you. Be kind to yourself, today and always.