Like Me

Like Me

Hearing your struggles hurts my soul‬

‪If only you knew how many times I was a TV to someone’s remote control‬

‪They make moves based on their opinions, not knowing they’re ripping the uniqueness that you hold‬

‪Right out your great soul‬

‪The channels they switch you to leave scars in your heart‬

‪That can’t be erased with a simple apology‬

It’s not that easy

These scars fill pages

And pages in this notebook

These scars robbed me of my time, and I can’t call the cops for these crooks

I wish you weren’t a replica of me

I wish you would stand up for me

I meant you

Why, oh, why are you like me?

I feel like I’m looking in a mirror when I hear you speak

It starts with you holding those words you so wish you can say behind your teeth

Then you can’t sleep

Because your eyes are so drippy

Then you start looking in the mirror, wishing and hoping that you weren’t you

That you were raised somewhere else

That these emotions weren’t something you felt

Then you start grabbing weapons

And trying to leave your body bloody in the same bed you slept in

Thoughts begin to creep in

Like if I do it, my body will be left in this bed

But in heaven, my soul will be free

Those very thoughts still reserve space in my head

Don’t be like me

Be better

Please

Listen, I was in those same sneakers

Wishing someone would speak to me

No one did until God did

Then the therapist sat in a chair looking at me through a phone screen and, for the first time, I felt heard

I speak of God, meditation, therapy & books, cause it’s what saved me

Not repeating memories and traumas

Telling myself those memories will no longer serve as a remote

God will be the remote instead

K