The optimist in me has realized
Toxic positivity doesn’t work
Sometimes, there is no silver lining
To a bad experience that we’ve heard
I’ve learned it’s more effective to listen
Identifying someone’s feelings instead
Holding space to hear them out
Without a resolution at the helm
This is what I’ve longed for myself
To be treated with decency
Without the threat of being told
I’m cold, dramatic, fake, or mean
This weight of a traumatic childhood
For too long it went ignored
Resulting in these feelings that
The world is better off without my soul
If I could lend one piece of advice
It’d be to start with self-preservation first
Set those uncomfortable boundaries
Those who love you will have to learn
That breaking the cycle is a challenge
It doesn’t happen overnight
It’s a dedication to a process
Where you say, “hey, that’s not mine”
I’m dedicated to my own life
One I’ve worked hard to build myself
I’m committed to this process
I’m healing the inner child crying “help”
So, I’ll lather myself in poetry
Sort through my complicated thoughts
Figuring out the future I’ll lead
With my son’s well-being at the forefront
Thank you for listening to my story
Taking the time to read
All that’s lived within my mind
I can finally say, I’m free
Sarah Lopez 