It's Raining Outside

Open Letter

You've been taught to be scared of life.
Of others, of family.
Been taught to care for others
before they can care for you;
Been through  so many thickets of ignorance
that you've forgotten all the berries
scattered about your life.

Remember when you were 10 and
played Minecraft with your neighborhood friends,
played pretend through the gardens and fields?
Do you remember that you have grown up with a surplus of video games that you fell in love with?
Do you remember when you were 17 riding around NC
with your best friend ahead of you,
their laughter echoing through the trees?

Do you remember how they sat with you when you hung out at their house?
And the friends they once knew said inconsiderate things
about your head?
That's some kind of dedication, isn't it?

Remember when you held projects downtown
with your high school peers and once again by yourself?
Remember the time you ran in the rain for a friend that didn't really seem to care,
but in that moment of rain covering your clothes,
you basked in every droplet.
You were running for you.

Do you remember that even in college without support,
without family,
without anyone to lean on to,
you still managed to set two people up?
You managed to inspire action to create a club.
You managed to make friendships that were genuine.
It wasn't the best time,
but the light bloomed in small moments.
You were victorious.

Oh, the thoughts around your head move quickly.
Have you sat down, for a second,
and appreciated all the good that you have made?
All the good you have manifested.

You've left a legacy behind without even trying,
while you were chasing rabbits and trying to find peace,
you've created something beyond yourself and when you die...

You will create peace.