Once soft and malable

I was hardened by heat 

The pressures of the world

I became unbreakable

But jagged and rough

I learned to cut

Before being cut

Ugly but stronger

Than any other stone

 

Rare and lonely

 

So I ground myself 

To create the facets 

Of my identity

To catch the light

Of myself and others

I forgave myself 

And made myself

 

I learned that I could be 

I became what I wanted

I am both

Unbreakable

And also beautiful