i. you're clinging on for dear life
as cars drive by at high speeds
and barely miss you as they pass.
you want to cross but you're afraid.
afraid of what's ahead.
the journey.
afraid of getting hurt.
afraid that you're going to get there and find nothing.

but you can't stay here.
there's nothing for you here.
just a sad, island of dead grass,
abandoned by all life.
all but you.

you hug your knees and cry.
this was your home.
you were warm and safe and happy here.
but most of all, you were loved.
you were loved, and that was all that mattered.
it was all that ever mattered.

nothing can be perfect forever,
but who said it was perfect to begin with?

ii. you have to leave.
it's unbearable now.
your nose is cold and your eyes are wet.
the wind betrays you as it blows tears across your face,
but you power through it anyways.
you hug yourself tighter
in the tattered jacket that you kept
from days you can't even remember anymore.
it's not much, but it keeps you safe.

you know what you have to do.
you stand up.
your legs are like cherry jelly,
but you step forward anyways.
you do what you never thought you'd be able to do.

you take a step,
and another,
and another.
it becomes easier for you
it's like you were meant to do this.
you feel free, somehow.
with every step you take, you can feel your body getting lighter and lighter
your hands stop shaking
you can finally breathe again.

iii. inhale, exhale.
you tell yourself that everything is going to be okay.
you are okay.
at least, you think.

you feel a sudden heavy weight fall on your chest.
a realization of what you did.
where are you?
what are you going to do now?
who are you going to become?