Christy Ann Martine is a Canadian poet who has dealt with anxiety and panic attacks throughout her life. She experienced significant turmoil during her childhood, and has chosen to share her trauma, and her recovery process through her poetry. Her poem, “Flower in the Desert” is a short, poignant piece of writing which makes use of the evocative image of a beautiful plant growing in a harsh environment. The poem reminds readers to always continue to grow, flourish, and change.

Flower in the Desert

Like a flower in the desert
I had to grow in the cruelest weather,
holding on to every drop of rain
just to stay alive.
But it’s not enough to survive,
I want to bloom beneath the blazing sun,
and show you all of the colors
that live inside of me.
I want you to see what I can become.

Image Credit:
Feature: Analise Benevides at Unsplash, Creative Commons