backbones get built
vertebrae by vertebrae
with every victory
with every heartache
with every triumph
with every shattering
with each awakening
they become sturdy
bearing the weight of new consciousness
embodying self-love
strengthened, emboldened
yet still flexible, yet still able
to make flowing and fluid movement
undulating with pulsing life
able to stand firm in the face of a challenge or adversity
backbones don’t magically appear because we wish them into being
backbones need nurturing and kindness and discipline and conviction and intention
and desire
to form and develop
they help us be stalwart and valiant
protecting the soft, vulnerable, tender inner parts
robust, hearty boundaries that
don’t cut us off from nourishment — they make sure we’re getting the right kind
the fortitude to love, not blindly, but with courage
Eloiza Jorge 
Great poem! Love image
Sent from my iPhone
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Beautiful. And much needed. Thank you!
Love it…so wise…
Sent from my iPad
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I love it. I felt each vertebrae cellularly agreeing. Thank you!