From the Maze, I Stepped Out by Shoushan Balian From the maze, I stepped out From dim, terrifying chambers From constant, perplexing circles From narrow, stifling passages I stepped out I stepped out The beast of my fears tamed The flood of my confusion drained The course of my path discerned I had launched Into the battle of self-deliverance Stomped by the beat of war drums Stormed by the blast of war cries My decisions were led By the vigor of my will And not By euphoric miscalculations As others perceived. My stamina prevailed By the strength of my faith As others looted my power To assert their false dichotomy. My individuality survived By my loyalty To the truest version of myself I stepped out From the perils of a dark sea Of chaos And landed In the wonders of a meadow Of lilies (This poem first appeared in Through the Soul into Life ) Shoushan Balian is of Armenian origin, born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, later living...
Women's Spiritual Poetry