So what do you do now
You have embarked on a journey of “self”
A journey that you thought would have an ending
Only to realize that this journey doesn’t end until death
But the versions of you continue to change
You continue to grow
You become the main character in your own story
No longer caring what others think of you
The words of the unwise have no bearing on your mind or heart
Your soul continues to float along with a sense of being so unbothered
You often don’t even realize when someone’s season in your life has ended
Because your days of being codependent of other’s energy
No longer exist
For you have become your own power source
Your new state of mind
Is far from the one of yester-year
Often making you forget that version of you even existed
For one only remembers when someone reminds you of how different you have become
And then you take a glimpse back into the memories of the now nonexistent
And proceed as if they have said nothing
Because you no longer live in that place
So you eventually start to answer your own question of
What now
Understanding that the “what now”
Means “you” must live
And it is just as simple as that
Live
Hear everything
But only listen to some
Breathe the air that is meant for you
Never staying in one season for too long
Love the winter as much as you love the summer
But never forget the value of the darkness
Lacresha Dowdy is a graduate of Clinton High School, Piedmont Technical College, and Claflin University in Orangeburg. Since December, 2009, she has been the City of Clinton Municipal Court clerk of court, and also is a Community Relations Specialist with the city and President of the Clinton Rotary Club.