<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div><div><b>“Before I...”</b> by Insiya K. Patanwala</div><div><br></div><div>Before I became strong, I knew what it was like</div><div>To be weak,</div><div>How difficult it is to love yourself,</div><div>To find the wholeness that you seek.</div><div><br></div><div>Before I knew the light, </div><div>I have had my fair share of darkness, too,</div><div>Where my world fell into a hopelessness</div><div>And I didn't know how to get through.</div><div><br></div><div>For I have known the tears it takes,</div><div>The courage to stand up again,</div><div>When you are broken down and bruised</div><div>And you know nothing but the pain.</div><div><br></div><div>You forget to appreciate love,</div><div>If you haven't seen the hate,</div><div>Till you forget the meaning of smile and laughter,</div><div>And your heart is left abate.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><br></div><div>I have known the strength and courage</div><div>It requires to get it right,</div><div>To face the things that hold you down</div><div>And hold your head up and fight.</div><div><br></div><div>Before I was who I am now,</div><div>I was someone I didn't want to be.</div><div>I was lost, battered, and defeated,</div><div>Before I knew how to be me!</div></div><div><br></div>———————————————<br><br><div dir="ltr"><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><br></div></div></body></html>