It bent but never lost its core
It yielded more and thus was more;
No shout no blade no grief no scar
Could dim the truth of what we are
It learned to bloom through wind and flame
To hold its ground without a name;
The storm withdrew the calm remained
The gentle heart by love sustained
It grew through night through doubt through test
It carried pain and called it rest;
The strong may fall the soft endures
Through mercy’s way the soul matures
Its roots unseen its light unshown
It keeps the dark from being alone;
The world rebuilds where it forgave—
The strength that bends becomes the brave