They were 30 minutes early but too scared to get inside, so they waited in the cold.
I was 5 minutes early and took their hand.
They looked exhausted from just getting there.
I gave them my spare earplugs and sunglasses.
They thought wearing sunglasses was too weird.
They had waist-long hair and a t-shirt from a garage sale they didn't even like.
My hair was short and green, and I wore the graduation sweater with my chosen name on the back.
They were hiding their arms.
I told them we stopped over thirty months ago.
They said it's really not that serious.
I said yes, yes it is.
We both read the whole menu, despite knowing what we wanted.
They ordered a latte macchiato for the first time in their life, only to realize they didn't like the milk foam.
I ordered an iced coffee with oat milk and gave them my straw after the waiter was gone.
Neither of us ate anything since we met for coffee and didn't think about the possibility of eating. We had just eaten breakfast, anyway.
They had had the same cereal as every morning since they turned 6.
So did I.
Some things never have to change.
So, what is life like? They asked.
I couldn't say much, so I just said, better.
Good enough to stay? They asked.
Yes, I said. More than worth it.
They had to get their bus, and I decided to walk.
I let them keep the earplugs.
When we got up to leave, I said, one last thing. Whatever you do, keep drawing, keep painting, keep writing. Keep creating. It might save your life.
They held down their tears until they had shut their bedroom door behind them.
I cried on the way home.
They cried because they couldn't believe it.
I cried because it hurt, and it's okay to hurt.
At least I know they got better.
☆
I'm late to the party, I know. I don't really notice when a new trend comes up (never did), and genuinely, I don't mind.
But after seeing this one, I just had to give it a go. It's somehow healing.
It's not really a poem, but close enough. Who cares what I label it, as long as I'm happy?
YOU ARE READING
It does get better.
PoetryPeople say it will get better. But to be fair, most of them never were in your place. They say you will get happy again, but how can they know? I've struggled with trauma, mental illnesses, and self harm for many years. These are (mostly) poems - ab...
