Dearly beloved
I hope when your daughter says
"I don't want to go to school today"
You hear her
I hope you notice the way
The words seem to sink in the air
Like she's pronouncing them
With such a heft that they can't
Be supported by her breath
I hope you don't tell her
"You stayed up late and that's
Why you're tired now"
Dearly beloved
I hope that you push the hair back
From her face and look into her eyes
And ask her to tell you what's keeping
Her from seeing her friends
Dearly beloved
Do not rush to work throwing a
"Get well soon" over your shoulder
Instead, take her into your arms
And just hold her
Dearly beloved
I hope when your son stops eating
You notice it
I hope that when his shoulders
Cave inwards and his skin
Grows pale that you remember
What it's like to be a teenager
And instead of telling yourself
That he'll grow out of it
I hope you ask him why you
Can see all his ribs
Dearly beloved,
I hope you find his razor blades
Before he's addicted
I hope you roll back his sleeves
And sit down, scars showing
And kiss his forehead
And tell him the stories he
Has been too young to know beforehand
Dearly beloved
Don't you dare tell that young man
That depression only happens
To teenage girls
Dearly beloved
Tell him you stood where he stands
Dearly beloved
When your daughter comes home
With her first girlfriend
Smile, beloved
Welcome her with open arms
And do not comment on
Her style of clothes
When you son grows out his hair
And finds your way into your makeup
And tells you he'd like to be called a girl
Ask her what she'd like for breakfast
Tell her she looks great in that skirt
Be proud of your children, beloved
They are an extension of you
I hope you love them regardless
Of what their paths lead to
YOU ARE READING
The dark abyss that is my mind: part one
PoetryDo you know that feeling? Nothing matters, nobody cares, life has no meaning. That feeling that you want to just give up? That all you do is use up space and annoy people? That everybody is better off without you? That's me everyday. Every single da...
