TreePupWriter

Yes, it's okay
to take your time, to
wait to come out
'till you're ready. But
don't let yourself think that
you're not ready yet, that
now is not the time
to open up and
show yourself. No,
it is your time, now.

His suitcase is full. Full of
troubles and sadness and
dreams that never came true,
emotions he buried
deep down at the bottom.
They look
organized at the top, neatly folded into squares,
but everything below it is jumbled,

Thank you
for being you. Thank you for
not putting any limits on
the dog you are,
not hesitating to
show your feelings.

Because when you're happy,
your joy spreads like music,

Hi! (I run to my future self, hug her tight.)

Hi. (I pull away. Doesn't she know about social distancing?)

Gone is, every day, without fail, the school bus
sometimes it's late and sometimes I am,
running across the street, backpack bouncing,
because I know our driver will wait--now,
I'm never late