19.02.18
a metaphor for
self hatred
we are told to love ourselves,
without knowing that our own
self hatred comes from the
world around us.
every harsh word that plants
a seed in the gardens of our
insecurities, watered by rivers
of negative thoughts.
every slur and backhanded
compliment, raining on our
confidence, until our gardens
tangle and suffocate.
we are told to love ourselves,
but how can we treat our bodies
sincerely, when society tells us
we don't matter?
every time we walk through
a world of people who speak lies
laughing, bullying, pointing out
our deepest fears.
every time we keep our mouths
shut, afraid of the monsters that we
unleash if our lips open, spreading
seeds of hate.
we are told to love ourselves,
but first we must plant flowers of
kindness before we can begin to
remove the thorns.
we speak to ourselves like dirt
—when we should be using it
to plant a garden instead.
be a flower
in a world of thorns;
you are worthy
–leonardo r.
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Insomniac | ✓
Poetry[ THE FICTION AWARDS 2018 WINNER FOR BEST POETRY BOOK ] ❝He spent his life chasing butterflies, never noticing how he trampled on the flowers.❞
