The feeling that you get when you’re alone with yourself
When you can feel the emptiness inside you swell
But you can’t tell if you’re living or dying
And you turn to pain because you’re desperately trying

I understand.

That yawning space behind your eyes and smile
When you want to rest for a long, long while
And you pretend you’re okay because you must be
But tear into yourself as the quietest plea

I understand.

When you push your fingers down your throat
And try to be silent as you gag and choke
Telling yourself that you’re still not there
Ripping at your thighs and stomach and hair

I understand.

When you crave love so bad it feels like longing makes your heart beat
And no one notices so you believe you’re unworthy
When you beg for help without saying a word
And wonder if you’ll ever find a cure

I understand.

Let my words be my arms, wrap them around yourself tightly
Let your loved ones be my eyes, let them see you as I see
Let this be everything I intend it to be
Let it be my response to your unheard plea.

When you have no love that you can find or see
You have, do, and will have love from me
Whether we’ve met once or a million and one times
I will listen to the things you bury in your mind.

You are loved; you are special to me
You are perfect; you are beyond pretty
Your story is not meant to end here like this
I understand; so I beg you: live.