Do you see her?
The girl wearing long sleeves because of the past that is hidden from view?
The girl with hair obscuring her face so you don't see how 'ugly' she thinks she is?
The girl that has her ribs showing so she looks beautiful so someone can ask her to the dance?
Do you see her?
Have you spoken to her?
Tell her things she hasn't heard in a long time.
Teach her kindness once more.
Tell her that she's beautiful.
You will see the corners of her mouth turn upwards.
Tell her to believe things will get better.
You will see the smile on her face get wider.
Tell her that her scars show how emotionally strong she is.
She may chuckle, but the smile on her face may say that she believes you.
If you tell her to 'cut deeper', she will.
If you tell her to 'drink bleach', she will.
If you tell her to go die, she will.
The next day, you hear what happened.
She took your advice.
You look around.
The entire room is in tears.
Everyone says that she was a good listener.
Her teachers said she was one of the brightest students.
Her friends tremble and break into sobs at the very mention of her name.
You leave and ask your mother to pick you up because you can't face everyone.
You felt that you had killed her.
The funeral for the girl in the long sleeves comes and goes without fanfare.
You don't go, the guilt is still too present in your mind.
You see her family walking through town one day.
Her mother has permanent tear stains lining her face.
Her father left.
Her brother is hiding behind long sleeves, hair in his face, and showing ribs, just like the girl you knew years ago.
YOU ARE READING
Venting
PuisiA collection of poems about my own battle with my mental health that I will hopefully add to.