Why I Write

I write for the English teacher who taught

Music is poetry, and meaning is different for everyone.

A Wooden Heart is a metaphor, a poem, a song, a memory,

And I write it all down because it is real.

I write for every time my mom says “don’t sell yourself short”

For every day that monster in my head says she’s wrong about my value

For every stranger that compliments me on a rainy day,

And I write all down until I believe the truth of their words.

I write for mental breakdowns hidden behind bolted doors,

Because I have too many secrets for one person to keep locked in their head,

Words on paper are safe and secret,

And I write those words to prove to myself that it’s not all in my head.

Words have as much power as you give to them,

So I write down my story to share with others,

Because my story is vital

So I will shout it from the rooftops of every city in the world.

I write to remind myself that I am more than my depression,

And I write it over and over again so I will not forget it,

Even on my darkest days.