I wonder if cats have self esteem
And if so
Is their self worth as fragile as ours?
Do they develop that voice inside
That feeds them lies
About whether or not they're good enough?
Do they question why they were born
With long hair instead of short?
Or get self conscious about a broken tail?
Do they wish they had better owners?
Or that their owners understood them better?
Are they sensitive about their weight?
Or the length of their claws?
Do they wish they had soft orange hair
Instead of plush black fur?
Or do they love themselves entirely?
Understanding that they matter and that
Their worth isn't defined by other people?
Do they just live their lives fully
Paying no mind to anyone's judgement?
Are they happy with themselves?
Why aren't we?

In the dead of night
tragedy strikes
you now have to tread lightly
as if walking on spikes

you walk the path lined by trees
it is long and winding
in the moon lit breeze

let them think what they want
it won’t matter now
theres nothing to lose
when you’ve let everyone down

you come to a stop
by the big old oak
the words are sharp
and you let them soak

soak in the water
in the lake that you love
and you come to the realization
that this was your last crop

you reap what you sow
as they used to say
and now you know
the price you will pay

a tragedy it is
and i don’t think you can lie
as you walk into the clearing
where, surely, you will die

My friend, I know you struggle
I know it hurts to take a breath
I know you hate this, I do too
I know sometimes you wish for death
But after every time we talk
I pray you’ll see another day
I pray for me to find the words
Because I don’t know what to say
I know you think that I don’t care
You say a thousand hurtful things
In the moment you believe them
And that's what really makes it sting
But I’ll stay up till morning talking
If that will get you through the day
My friend, I’ll suffer through this with you
Just to know that you’re okay

I do wonder why you chose me,
     Could it be my foreign looks,
     Or perhaps you wanted to add an Asian to your books
Why on earth indeed, especially when you're free?
I hope it's because we're destined to be,
     But I feel as if I'm on a hook.
     This feels surreal just like out of a book;
I do wonder how you love me.
  I have a volatile mind,
       That will not cease doubts
  From overflowing until I'm out-shined.
  I feel drained from being entwined
        With my thoughts, hoping for that final knockout.
        Hoping for all this to end - yes, I know I'm a sellout.
  But this is my life; I will not be out-shined.

Following the path less taken
Over all the low roads and
Routes plummeting towards the craven
Gateways of Hell takes the travelers
Into enlightenment. Those who avoid Satan's
Vengeance and forked whispers
Emerge from the waters of the lake in
Nature's womb veiled in holy layers
Encompassing their soul. This ache in
Society seeps into the bones of naysayers
Slandering the purging powers of equal pardon.