We ache to find the right words,
the right way to say
something which cannot be said right at all
because once it is spoken,
it makes everything wrong
the world becomes broken
and nothing can
become right again.

I am my best friend.
I will never trust another over me again.
After the long nights
and early mornings
and long trials of back-and-forth-ing,
I have studied myself and can promise one thing:
I know me more than you do.

So if you ever begin to think
I am missing something big
come and slip a note to me -
criticism is welcome, but I will choose what I take and leave.

I have my back
I hold the line
I trust my truth and have a spine
I'll defend my reputation against those friends
who weren't friends at all, in the end.

I'd rather be "alone" than have to pretend.
I'd rather be my own best friend.

Take a break
but only if you've earned it.
Be kind to yourself,
but do not fall into the trap
of overdoing it.

Self-care
is only caring
until it isn't for the better good

Self-care
is no longer caring
if it hurts you more than it should.

So, go ahead, and take a break
take a day to go slow, and wait-
wait for the emotions to cease
until you breathe with ease
and know with certainty
you will be okay.

Then get up and don't let yourself be late
for that meeting, or coffee, or dinner date
because you deserve a life of love, not hate-
so continue living,
and if you're tired,
take a nap.

Your gut may know before your mind
the people who you hide behind
may be the ones who step aside
and let you take the bullet.

But it may not discern the tides
hidden under darkened skies
to predict the waiting lies
as they stab you in the back.

Healing from the scars, like stripes
reflecting in your tired eyes
try to wear them all with pride
and know at least you've learned.

Now you know the warning signs,
the personas people hide behind
manipulating, toxic, and blind
you won't be fooled again.

We step gently,
for few stones
are seen above the surface:

deep or shallow
no one knows
yet just one slip seems fatal.

Restrained by fear
we name it
“Patience,” keeping us alive.

Avoid our own
reflection
or maybe just stranger’s eyes.

We like the dark
shut the blinds
“ignorance is bliss,” they say.

Why take the leap,
risk it all,
on a meager shred of faith?

I hope you do.
You may find
it’s been shallow all this time.

May you blaze and
scorch the earth
of all that you do not need

so what is left
becomes more
that what you had ever dared to dream.

Sincerity is an abandoned relic
We are plagued by its scarcity,
today we cringe and shy away
from the bright light
of genuine authenticity

The shine of our own reflection
is too bright, we close our eyes
to the truth we see
in the eyes looking back
from the face in the mirror

We judge by our own standards
while judged by any but our own
We look past the tint in our own vision
unable to distinguish the vastness of colors
visible in unfurling new conversations:

We live for ourselves, selfishly
consumed by narcissistic perceptions
Perfecting our reputation, under other’s eyes
like a butterfly perfectly pinned under the glass

Yet why not live for ourselves,
but truly, as if
we were the only one left to judge in the world?
If we were freed from
this fear of sincerity-
wouldn’t you be happier, then?
Wouldn’t you
just become
you?