Title: Self Portrait , by Pejj Nunes

I am, I say! Loudly! I say it without pause!

I recognize my soul, it has balance, it did not have this before. I have changed.

I am the crone, the sage, the wiser women. I have lived. I have been torn and mended.

The woman warrior, who has been through many trials. I am everlasting.

I am without time now, aged. At Peace with myself, despite all else.

The greater consciousness bares witness. To my birth, and rebirth. For we are One.

I stand tall! I am! I say! I say it loudly and without shy pause.

I dance, I always dance. Connecting, reconnecting, then anchoring the self.

I access what transcends me. I float and I dream. I fly high. I am free.

Making my own path, pivoting, observing, use of owl wisdom, life is my adventure, I can control.

I love this version of self. It came by age and stage. I am no longer stuck listing all my pros and cons.

Evolved, I am more sure of my footing. Becoming encompasses me! I am beautifully whole.

I stand tall! I am! I loudly say this without pause. I am my own truest reality!

Here, I am. In all, femininity and masculinity. Now with grace I learn from unending lessons.

Homage to life and living! Homage to becoming more! Homage to self!

The risks of reaching surprise me, leaning forwards, baring self, setting aside that what nolonger fits.

Life is worthwhile, worth the price; for all the treasures I hold dear. I am I say! I shout loudly!

Battle worn that I still am, the biggest, hardest battles were with myself. I reflect and acknowledge.

I did not know so many things: conclusions cannot be made upon all one thinks they know.

It all comes back I see, and guessing never worked . I did not know enough. Sigh. I felt alone.

I could not walk in one an other’s shoes. Not enough was said. In time I learned differences.

It took time to stand tall. I thought “Here! I am! See me? I felt no one heard, not then.

I recognize good from bad better now, but more importantly I know balance which gives peace.

Live deeply and wisely, my intuition says. Don’t follow all thoughts down a rabbit hole.

Don’t respond to all words and actions. Be accountable for self only, I remind myself.

What matters most is who I want to be. What is important is that I embrace my life.

My life mine at last! It always was, what others think or may feel don’t matter. I matter.

Things are not always about me. If I don’t own it I can turn away. Let others learn, it is theirs to own.

Know me if you want. Love me if you want. I am not less in my own head and heart.

I give way to building a new life. I lost my beloved but I am still here with more to give.

Live without fear, don’t let anxiety in or anger to coach you into it might be truth. Is it? No.

Hope, trust and belief in self, this is what I am sure of. Have I not lived long enough to know this?

Consciousness will guide me. I listen to the intuition of myself. Hold fast to spirit, its a bumpy ride.

I am not alone in “this!” I am loved. All who live are connected. Just learning our own way forward.

Pejj Nunes, June 23, 2026

Not I did publish a version, came back to this, a finished version. I do not give permission to use my art or writing without requests.