when the pen fades on those first two letters, rip out the page as if no one is looking
when you turn the lock one to many times start over without admitting it
when you meet their gaze and it hurts to breathe, pray for oxygen
when you’ve been angry for too long, think back four years
when your mother makes another rude comment, stand your ground keep some pride
when you feel like your body is giving up, let the air fill your chest to keep your blood flow
when they ask you if you are okay, make up your mind
when you've been lied to one to many times, remind yourself why truth heals
when she leans in to grab something, do not lean in too
when the box cutter is under your bed, fist sheets and scream into your pillow
when he does not text back, assume it’s his loss
when a potential friend laughs and calls you names, delete his number
when that potential friend hits on your best friend, do not stay quiet
when you ask your best friend to get you a band aid, do not say why
when you wake up in the morning do not hate god