you first.

don't bottle them up.
don't bury them deep down within yourself,
and you better not swear to never tell anyone.

don't feel bad for feeling a certain way.
don't put yourself down for seeing something a little differently.
you're you, and no one can change that.

who cares if you like someone you shouldn't?
you said you shouldn't?
why should you care about their words?

you feel angry? it's okay to let it out.
to go outside and just yell.
let it out, man.

something's tearing you up inside?
tell someone. if you can't, write it down.
burn it, crumple it up, rip it to pieces. just get it out.

you don't agree with someone's opinions?
that's fine. you don't need to agree with everything others say.
you're worried they may hate you? well, if they hate you for your views, then maybe you're better off without them, anyway.

take care of yourself.
 

Abriatis

NY

YWP Alumni

More by Abriatis

  • i am me.

    it's 12am on nine-eleven-twenty-twenty.
    my name is rowan, and i am eighteen.
    i have struggled. i have cried. i did not think i'd make it this far.
    i did not think i'd do half the things i have.
  • nine-eleven

    to think that i will be a legal adult tomorrow.
    i could vote. i could buy fish at petsmart.
    i could apply to places like aldi's and tractor supply.

    my birthday, for me, has always been tinged with sadness.
  • placidity

    i watch the numbers tick up.
    i read the headlines.
    suny oneonta shuts down for the semester -
    six hundred cases.

    i go outside.
    i see the masks, worn properly or not.
    the spraying of hand sanitizer,