Dear Grown Up,

Dear Grown Up,

Let me tell you about a time when I was small and I saw the world as an endless vast expanse. Jumping on the trampoline was how I'd touch the clouds.

Let me tell you about a time when I grew up and my perspective invaded my imagination. University became the deconstructive war cry for the angry and broken.

I'll take that trampoline back thank you very much!

Wearing their trauma on their sleeves while self righteously crucifying their captors a.k.a the toxic.

But don't forget to love them then.

Don't forget to be open and welcome everything.

Let me tell you about a time I saw a tsunami coming to shore. Slow, steady, and heavy. We were swimming just moments before and we were weightless.

Let's go back to reaching for those clouds and maybe even those stars.

Off our shoulders we became blameless. I am not a victim. I am not my trauma. I am not your problem. You are not mine.

Open-ended questions go round and round in their heads, in my head, in our heads. We're asking all the wrong ones. No wonder we hate what we hear. No wonder we hate what we fear. No wonder ex-communication promises "safety" here.

Just breathe with me 1...2...3... imagine you're on the mountains breathing in the freshest air.

Covered in filters and free-falling pictures. #livingmybestlife

Getting rich seems so normal. Who wants that knife in their back? Luxury hotels and swimming pools.

Bottomless drinks and late-night ventures.

All way to0 busy to remember.

That childhood imagination fading but vital.

Don't let it slip between your "whole" fingers.

Maybe there is a remedy for that in your bag of tricks.

Let me tell you about a time when I was small and I thought I could dig a hole to get to the other side of the earth.

I was invincible and determined with my little plastic shovel. No one will stop me. I will get to where I intend to go.

Let me tell you about a time when I got older and heartbreak tore out that goal. Now we sit across from sort of a stranger who repeats back to me what I just said.

No, that's not what I meant.

I will take back that shovel thank you very much.

Let me tell you about a time when midnight premieres were my jam and the popcorn glittered the floor sticking to the aftermath of that silent soft drink fight.

When it was all over. We just enjoyed a really mediocre movie. But at least we did it together.

We saw the wave coming but we didn't start running.

Running away from freedom? From these so-called chains that were never around your fingers?

If you're reading this it probably doesn't make sense.

Congratulations, you're reading poetry.

Let me tell you about a time when I slammed a poem here and there. When everyone thought it was funny to snap. Well, we'll give them that won't we?

So let me tell you about a time when I was small and I saw a movie and in it. a character pushed all the buttons in the elevator on a very tall building. Goals.

Now, I will tell you about a time I fulfilled that dream in an elevator full of angry, silent businessmen. Nailed it.

I will keep that trampoline. I will touch the clouds.

I will keep that shovel and I will get to where I intend to go.

Them: "But what about..." no. no. no.

Keeping it real like a child. Waking up with zeal, some coffee, way too many responsibilities, and maybe some excitement.

Let me tell you about a time when my heroes were real people. My mom, a teacher, a mentor, my doctors, cancer researchers, my savior.

I've not been deconstructed, brainwashed, shattered, or stolen. I've been reborn. I've not been an image of my trauma I am a stainglass portrait of my healing. I am not what you assume. I will not fit into your boxes or lockets.

I'm still a child. With dreams, you wouldn't believe and now if you excuse me I've got to tell my grown-up self a thing or two about being fearless.

Let me tell you about a time when I was small and I wanted to be whatever I wanted to be. I read every book in the library. I wrote one of my own and I danced to an authentic tune.

Now this beat of my own drum I made with popsicle sticks and glitter glue will be beating as long as I've got this air to enjoy. So excuse me if I allow my imagination to run as wild and free.

That is just how it should be.

Sincerely,

Little Me