Getting UP

At first I rose on a whisper - A faint and confident invitation I heard in between sobs and dark days and lifetimes of down...  

Get up...

At first I rose shaking - crawling.  My knees buckled at the weight of my heart.  It hurt too much to move.  

Get up...

At first I rose in silence - It would be many years before the words would come or the tears would stop.  Years before I would hear or see clearly... 

Get up...

At first I rose blindly - Feeling around in the heavy dark.  Begging for the way.  Fighting and trusting each step...  

Get up...

At first I rose for me - The lifetimes of having it all backwards and not understanding my gifts had taken its toll and left me on the floor...  

Get up...

At first I rose sick - Weak from the words that were stuck in my throat and had poisoned my mind and doused my light...  The accident that made me small.  My color faded away into the same fear that took may voice.  I choked on thoughts.   

Speak up...  

At first I rose alone - And I was sure it would kill me.  But it was the very thing that restored my power.  And I'll never curse the darkness of solitude again.  It's where I found myself...  

Get up...

At first I rose uncomfortable - Why did it hurt so much to stand up?  Why couldn't I breathe?  Will I fall back down?  Can you see me?  Can you hear me?  Whose voice is that?  Where am I?  Why is this mine?  Will you help me?

Ok.  I'll get up...

And I rose for her - Slowly.  Completely barren and terrified.  I fought for her.  She chose me.  She tore my womb open with her birth, looking up to me to show her the way, and I almost missed that, too...  

I HAD TO GET UP...

And then I rose for anyone.  I knew I had to help.  Anyone who showed up.  Even if they were too heavy, yet and weighted me down.  We walk before we run.  I was ready for the lessons...  

I was getting up...

And then I still rose - Without...  Without the teachers and the lovers and the healers.  They were conditional.  But they were without, too...  Teaching me not to lose myself on the way up...  

The Kingdom of Heaven is WithIN...  

Get up...

And now I rise for you - I rise for anyone still crawling around in the dark.  I'll share this light.  It is infinite.  I rise for anyone whose voice has not yet made it out of their own heart.  Mine still shakes, but it is certain and devoted and I speak to encourage.  I rise for anyone who still feels held down by this heavy life.  It wasn't meant to be lived on the ground.  I'm strong now and I'm here to serve.  I'll take your hand...  

But you have to get up...