They could have been flowers but instead they were hugs and kisses,

They could have been flowers but instead joyful praise & beautiful singing,

They could have been flowers but instead songs of love, of redemption, of peace.

Why could they have been flowers you may ask,

You see, Flowers in itself are beauty to behold,

but when they could have been flowers the half has not been told.

They could have been been flowers but instead sweet mist of the morning sun

They could have been flowers but instead God chose to have fun!

They could have been flowers, but instead she got ice-cream and cupcakes, strawberries and honey,

They could have been been flowers but he gave her a beautiful unicorn

an image made in his own image, “A God bird,”

a daughter, a soul-mate, a mentor, a friend

They could have been flowers but instead she got happiness unend!

Title: They could have been flowers

Artist: Latoya Belnavis

Medium: Poem

Date: 2016

This a poem I wrote in 2016 when my mother brought me a poem" I got flowers today". I found it rather heart-breaking and decided to change the narrative. I created my own " They could have been flowers"

This is just one of the poems I've written since experiencing dv. I had to find an outlet to express my words as I tend to stumble when I speak so I decided to turn my pain into purpose and give my experience a voice. Fast forward to date, 2021, I no longer identify with the term "survivor" but "thriver" as I believe I have taken the initiative to take my power back and choose the life I want to live. These poems reveal a turning point in my perspective of life and whenever I read these poems I am reminded to keep going, keep on believing in myself just a little bit more.