Napowrimo Day 12 Poem: Be Gentle

Prompt: What you wish you could say to someone.

I wrote this one to myself. If you've been following my poems this month, you'll see that several of them deal with anxiety. I've been using my poetry to work some things out. It's been hard to put my poems out there publicly because it feels so self centred and scary, but I'm doing it anyway. Maybe it will help with the stigma or help someone understand or realize they're not alone.

April 12/13

Be Gentle

Be gentle with yourself.

Hardness creates gruff edges,

Jagged teeth and prickly moods.

Not even you can stand yourself then.

Really, there is nothing that can't be solved,

That doesn't have a silver lining,

Or work out for the best,

In the end.

Though, if you look, usually it gets better

By the middle.

But if the worst does happen,

You have friends and family,

Amazing people,

Waiting with a helping hand.

It's not a weakness to

Rely on them when need be.

And even if it is, so what?

Everyone needs help,

Especially when they are ill.

This is simply a different kind of sick,

One that doesn't involve fevers or rashes,

Broken bones or any other outward sign.

Clenched up panic and fear,

Stomach churning, heart pounding tension,

Tears, headaches and feeling blue

Are Real.

They don't make you less worthy, important, amazing.

So be gentle with yourself.

Do a little bit everyday

And that will be enough.

Baby steps are the way to go

So long as you are true to yourself

And follow your dreams.

But most of all,

Love yourself for who you are.