Success Is

Success is keeping a body

that an eating disorder tried to erase.

It is eating despite the lies

that promised control

and delivered death.

Success is not believing the voice

that said you were better off gone.

It is surviving the night

you weren't supposed to survive.

Success is waking up every morning

with bipolar depression pressing down

and choosing to live anyway.

It is small acts of courage -

getting up, breathing, staying.

Success is knowing pain exists

without letting it rule you.

It is refusing to give control

to what you cannot control

Success is quiet.

It is daily.

It is you -

Still here

.

Amanda Miles