"Finding My Power...." Poem

i found my strength
my truth
my purpose
sitting there
quietly
waiting
inside my belly
where that hard knot had been
that tied me
to pain
withdrawal
running
fear
inadequacy
shame
unworthiness
not enough
too much
always too much
and what glory to find it!
i had searched everywhere
every country
town
cafe
vacant dirt road
along the way
to You
and there it was
so still
and quiet
yet bold
how bold!
when i finally saw it's face
it was softer than i had thought
prettier
less course
less sure of itself
than i had imagined
but so pure
so holy
so true
and alive!
throbbing
this whole time
frustrated
at my lack of respect
my lack of attention
my complete
lack of connection
to it's very existence
yet there it sat
the whole while through
while i scavenged outside of myself
for the discards of others
to give me my strength
my power is not mighty
and my power is not fierce
it is simply there
ready to connect
with me
and when we connect
all knowledge comes to me
there is no looking
outside of my self
it is all right there
no one can hurt me
coerce me
scare me
or pull me out of my truth
for once i connect
to this strength
that sits in my belly
i AM truth!
my life is truth
my words are truth
my actions
my thoughts
my deeds
all truth
fear no longer comes to me
fear of doing wrong
thinking wrong
saying wrong
being wrong
shame is averted
and grace is alerted
i feel my belly
softening now
hollowing out it's sharp edges
dissolving
it's hardness
my whole body softens
as i find my strength
as i link to my power
that i pushed away
down deep in my bowels
that i took a lifetime
to pull back to the surface
no more fear
no more shame
guilt
remorse
regret
all gone
i link
and i become whole
wholly perfect
and wholly true
and wholly the woman
i came here to be