Dear Ocean VII

Dear ocean,

When will the trials cease?

When have I passed your tests?

You are breaking me to pieces Ocean.

Have I not grown enough in your eyes?

Must I do more to prove myself?

Or do you endeavor to have me believe I must let go of such ambition

Must surrender to the truth that I am enough

Regardless of achievement?

My breathing is labored Ocean-

I am so very tired.

Is there a reprieve approaching?

Or a moment of divine intervention

To set my world alight

With positivity and success?

I have held the phoenix close to my soul Ocean

I call upon its metaphor to guide me with every passing day,

Hoping to embody its symbolism.

It gives me strength to persevere

In light of a monster that threatened to snuff out my light.

I refuse to let my passion be subdued,

I will fight for the future I dream of

Where nothing can get in the way of my happiness

Where no one can bring me to my knees

But the one person worthy of my unconditional admiration:

Myself.