In this edition of Community Voices, we share a deeply moving poem by Christine, a resilient content writer and emerging creative who has turned grief, loss, and personal transformation into a powerful expression of healing through words. Christine’s journey is one of navigating mental health, reclaiming her voice after hardship, and slowly rebuilding her life on her own terms—one word, one line at a time.

Her poem invites us into a moment of reflection, reminding us that even in our darkest chapters, there is light waiting to break through. It speaks to anyone who’s ever felt lost, silenced, or broken—and offers the quiet courage to begin again.

About Christine aka Keno.Valentine

Christine is a versatile content writer, poet, and student currently pursuing a design certificate while expanding her freelance writing career. After leaving a toxic relationship and losing her full-time job, Christine chose a path of healing, part-time work, and therapy to support her mental health and creative ambitions. Through her writing, she’s found space to grieve, grow, and speak truth to the resilience that lives within. She believes that no matter how heavy life becomes, we each deserve help, healing, and the chance to rewrite our stories.

The Narcissist Wears a Flag

Born into one’s eyes as less of,
Lack of achievement I shall say.

Let’s not forget to mention the constant abuse

and no matter where I turned,
I received much lack of empathy.

I remember often being told what I can’t or could not do,

versus what I can or should do.

Doing my chores and completing them on time was very important.
You would only think I would have been told about my own country
was more important by the time I was to make my final exit from that

door,

instead of being repeatedly told I must figure things out myself.

And yeah indeed, I have.
Only to find out

there are many who will disrespect me
because of my race, times ten by men
because it is not cool to be a woman.

And trust me,

I can count how many times I’ve been taken seriously on a job

in every corner I faced.
Such manipulative behavior
or even better,

you never take responsibility.
It’s always my fault.
In the words of Dr. Maya Angelou:

“Still, I rise.”

Because through all constant thunder and lightning,

I finally seen a light.

Help me push
as I would say,
do not give up

no matter what heartache and pain I’ve been through.
Indeed, there are several permanent scars I cannot fix.
But with the help of a steady and cleaner diet and therapy,

the words “I can, I can, I can”

roll off one’s tongue more often and much faster.

And now,

as the world continues to challenge me in other ways

as a small business owner
I face even bigger mountains to climb
due to a big, beautiful bill

from yet another narcissist, this time wearing a suit and holding a

podium.
Our current President

who smiles wide while signing burdens into law,
never thinking how they fall on people like me.

I sit here reminding myself
how far I’ve come

so there is no need for me to give up

not now,
nor should I ever.
It is only another mountain

I must figure out how to climb up to the top.

Still, I rise
to fly upstream.

By: Christine aka Keno.Valentine