Imagine a crowded room
Every person is talking
A pin drops to the ground
Can You Hear It?

Imagine a city bus
Full of people
A pin drops to the ground
Can You Hear It?

Imagine a green park
People stroll around leisurely
A pin drops to the ground
Can You Hear It?

Imagine an empty room
White walls, concrete floors
A pin drops to the ground
You can't hear it.

People assume
That little kids can't be clever
I mean they're just kids right
But if you really listen
They can give great ideas
People assume
Being outside is boring
But if you really listen
It can tell you stories that you've never heard
People assume
That the shy girl has nothing to say
But if you really listen
She can brighten your whole day
Why can't people just listen?

a year ago
my parents wouldn't shut up about me
while boasting to their friends

now
i can count on my hand
how many seconds it takes
for them to change the subject

i used to be smart
i used to be athletic
i used to be funny
i used to be poetic

but now i'm paying for the tutor
but now i'm sitting on the bench
but now i'm being laughed at
but now i'm not capable of writing good

now the only thing I'm good at
is taking off my clothes


don't they know
what 365 days can do to you

When your child sleeps for 16 hours do not call them lazy; ask them if they are feeling alright and do not accept that they're "fine".

When your child skips dinner do not just assume it's a diet, sit them down and ask why they are not eating their favorite meal and don't let them convince you that they are not hungry because odds are they're famished.

When you see scratches and burns and bruises and cuts on their body I hope to god you don't look the other way, I hope you hold them tight and tell them how much you love them.

When your child begins skipping classes and asking to stay home do not yell at them, climb in bed with them and ask them what is going on at school.

When your child eats 3 helpings of food and snack after snack after snack I hope you don't think this is normal and I hope you ask your child what is troubling them and I hope you tell them they're beautiful.

When your child pulls away from you and shuts you out and starts destroying themselves I hope to god you don't think it's a "phase" and I hope to god you take on your job as a parent to try and understand and love them, do not tell them to "grow up" because odds are that's the exact problem.