don't just wear your heart on your sleeve,
wear your scars there, too.
don't cover them.
don't hide them to make others comfortable.

they are proof,
not only that you survived a battle,
but that you were hurt
and it didn't **** you.
your scars are proof that you are fighting;
that you are strong enough to fight
with tears in your eyes.
your scars are no sign of weakness;
they are every indication of strength.
don't cover them up.
don't hide them under your sleeves
or behind your teeth.

when they tell you to calm down,
yell louder.
scream because you're angry.
cry because it hurts.
stop listening when they tell you
to get over it; to try harder.
this is your battle.
fight it however you want,
however you can.
don't believe them when they say
"it's not that big of a deal."
it is a big deal.
it's your deal,
and that makes it the biggest deal in the world
because you are the world.
you are your world.
and they are not your sun.
they are not your moon.
they aren't even your stars.
they are dust, left over from an explosion that created you,
and all they do is disrupt your connections with the heavens.

it takes an explosion to create a universe.
so do not listen when they tell you to calm down.
stand up
and scream louder.
don't stop when they tell you to sit down.
don't stop until you are heard.