When I was younger, I used to write poems.
They were not good.
They were stuffed with youthful agony and strife.
I was so emo. I listened to a lot of Dashboard and even more Bright Eyes.
At first I was ashamed of writing them. I used to feel ashamed about a lot of things I shouldn't have. I used to not feel shame about a lot of things I should have.
Growing up is funny. I'm one of the lucky ones for a thousand reasons...
I hear people say my life is perfect and it brings me shame.
I have strained relationships others take for granted.
I work... and then I work... and then I work for what I have.
I look a certain way, both my youthful visage and my general countenance and people make assumptions.
I have it pretty good and I still question every aspect of it.
I question... what if I didn't have my parents? What if I never met Father Dan? What if I never drank a drink? What if I actually said the things I wanted to say when I was growing up? What if I grew up somewhere else.
I ask because I care.
I care because I see
I see fear and hate
I see how easily they avoid me.
We don't ask because we're scared
We're scared of our shame
We fear and we hate
We're emotionally lame
Nobody teaches how
Nobody teaches why
Until it's too real
Until we accept the lie
We're not special
Our lives are not exempt
Embrace this fear
Fight the hate and lament
Be scared
Be sad
Be better
Be mad
.
Be lucky
Be crude
Be more
Be you
