Love is the Answer

Ashley Merkley 

Thursday June 27th, 2019 

Over the years 

I have learned what it is to love 

And what it is to be broken by the hands of hate...

And I have learned that love is the answer.

The hands of love are gentle 

They are the comforting look in my mother’s eyes 

When she tells me I don’t have to cry for my sadness to be valid

But also that it’s okay if I do. 

Love is how you feel upon seeing the curving smile 

Of someone you hold so special in your life.

I have learned that indulging in self-hate 

Just to make a work of art is a form of emotional suicide.

It’s not hip or edgy to cut your emotions off 

Or only allow yourself to feel negative emotions- 

It’s dangerous, it can be deadly. 

Over the years 

I have learned that I am worthy, 

That I deserve good things 

Despite how many people have told me that I don’t, 

I do. 

And that although sometimes I feel weak 

Because of the illnesses, because of the abuses, 

Because of the wars I wage with myself in my head, 

I am strong. 

I deserve beauty in all of its forms

I deserve to love myself and put my emotions first, 

And in fact- I need to do so. 

But most of all I have learned,

That this world would be so much better off

With more love.