My Epitaph

There used to be a part of me resting upon my grave
The stone chipped, worn, heavy upon the soul
And words adorned the smooth surface
She Lived A Lifetime, they said.

And when I was alive,
And I mean truly alive.
I would sit at that stone
And ponder it's engraved words

My epitaph?
Seemed so odd
To look down from outside of myself
And feel no shame

But it was welcome nonetheless
And though I've gone to rest somewhere more peaceful
That woman-child I was
I've been reborn as the Phoenix

Within the ashes of my past life

From the misery has arisen a fresh start
From the pain, acceptance of it
From the hatred, love
From the struggles, balance

I could always ask for more
But I wouldn't dare
Because feeling this...
Being this

Has been worth the lifetime I've lived in pain
It's been worth the wait, the trials, the judgement
And it's been...
Effulgent.

And from here?
I'll walk away, at peace with myself
From that chiseled, dull, grey stone
And my death.

And I will live.