06/16/2025
Releasing the Veil of Tears
I once wore this fabric like a second skin
a veil soaked in grief, shame, and betrayal
He gave it to me
not as a gift
but as a tether
I used it in my very first self-portrait on mental health
draped over me like the tears I wasn’t ready to speak out loud
But now
I am untying his grip
My hands may still be bound in this image
but they are bound by choice
Because I know what comes next
The water waits to carry away what never belonged to me
And I release it
every lie
every wound
every whispered “you deserved it”
I release the veil of tears
Let the river carry it
Let the light find me again
I am grateful to the earth for holding me
to the water for taking what I no longer need
and to the voice inside me that kept whispering
you are not done
you are not broken
you are becoming
- Thank you Starklife Photography for being my human tripod and Sandie for being such a great help -