Look at you.
Young in years but heart so beat,
tear stained cheeks
you so skillfully play off
with a smile.

Don't get me started on that smile.
You smile with your entire face,
did you know?
It's so rare to come across
Such an open and honest laugh
these days.

I know, I know
I know you by now.
I can hear the echoes of the screams
You keep swallowing,
If I'm quiet enough.
I can see how furiously you
Blink back your tears
And how your hands tremble
In the morning.

Mornings.
I see how you fight with yourself
Stay in bed. No. Get up. Stay.
Some days, you can't even bother
To put on a clean shirt.
But you get up nonetheless;
I know how difficult that is -
Don't let a soul tell you any different.

Angry, angry girl.
Why why why do you carry
So much hate in your hands?
- 'But where where where
        where
        do I put it all down?'

I see how your chest
Is so full of love,
it's starting to break your heart.
Please won't you give some
Away?

I'm tired.
I've slept for 3 days straight,
But the weight of all these emotions
I've kept locked up too long
Are too, too strenuous to handle.

Lovely girl. Beautiful girl. Clever girl.
You've been laughing off compliments for years now.
Why do you always search
For the most unlovely and demeaning
adjectives for yourself?

Sad sad girl.
What are you so afraid of?
Why can you not stop crying?
Promise me, you will try
to stop breaking your own heart
before giving another soul the chance.

Hopeful girl.
Stars in your eyes and
Flowers growing wherever
You tread.
Keep on wishing wishing wishing
As you do love,
Keep on.

You are broken and
exhausted and
Full of love love love.
Please allow yourself a fraction,
And be ever so indulgent,
With the rest.