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you'll figure it out, kid
identify yourself
maybe, with an index card, a blood type,
someone else?
and you’ve got to force a smile to play your cards.
confidence helps, i guess.
hope that no one is paying attention.
can i go back to yesterday?
pretend i didn’t say what i usually say.
(i definitely did)
i leaned into the mirror,
watched my body sink right through.
“can you keep it down? i can hear you.”
and if you run away, so be it
... i’d love it if you wouldn’t
cause i know i’m quiet,
never really tried it,
but don’t run away!
i might speak today!
(maybe sometimes we got wrong but it’s alright.)
identify yourself
at least a postcard to know that you’re safe
can you imagine the things they’ll say:
“oh, it isn’t your place.”
hope that no one is checking your bedroom
cause that’s where you hid your head
when it wouldn’t fit,
what to do with it?
you couldn’t find a place,
so you hid inside your closet
‘til someone would come along
and prove your demons’ words were wrong
validity is bliss.
i hope that you bathe in it.
you will make it past 13,
cause i’m you at 17.
(maybe sometimes we got wrong but it’s alright.)
![](http://cdn.teenink.com/art/May08/Hands72.jpg)
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i wanted to write a letter to my younger self, but letters are difficult.