tips for childhood

when i was a child, all i was focused on
was growing up. i was tired of being told
"you're too young," and as a result, i tried
to become an adult quicker. i'm only fourteen,
and already, i have begun to suffer for this mistake.
don't blame me. i didn't know what was at stake.

when i was three,
i got bit by a dog.
i had to get three stitches
and now, my furthest back memory
is something that causes me a lot of fear.

don't pet a dog when it's eating.
don't get close to dogs you don't know.

when i was seven, my brothers
no longer wanted anything to do with me.
i befriended a girl who was mean to me, and
thought nothing of it because she made it seem
like i deserved it.

don't let people be mean to you.
you are so much better than that.

when i was around eight,
and it was summer, i decided
that swimsuits were entirely too
comfortable to not wear all the time.
i would get out of the pool, grab my towel and lay it down to "sun bathe." while i didn't get a tan,
i got a yeast infection.

don't wear wet swimsuits after you get out of a pool.
change your clothes. run around in your underwear
if you have to. swim suits are not all-the-time apparel.

i broke my toe at the age of eleven,
because the time for running barefoot finally
ran out. i fractured my growth platelet, and
bruised the whole side of my foot.

i know being barefoot
seems like a good idea, but
wear shoes. it's only a matter of time before
you step on a nail, break a toe, break your spirit.

please know
it's okay to be sad,
angry, and it's okay to
not be okay. but don't hide it.
the people around you are not there
to hurt you. it's a hard thing, to allow
yourself to be loved. it's a hard thing,
to allow yourself to love in return.

i get that. and while the world
is demanding that you be mature,
or telling you you're "too young,"
don't listen. you've got plenty of time
to grow old.

be a little reckless.
but be very safe.

i'm telling you
because i can't go back
and tell myself.