shortcake

Can we all just

take a moment

And imagine

Imagine not having

To hear the sound

Of persistent arguing

Every single night

As you sit in the

dimly lit closet

and cry yourself to sleep

Imagine knowing

What having a

"normal" childhood is like,

And not having to be

switched between families

Because we all know that makes

family gatherings even more uncomfortable

all the people claiming to know you

When you barely even know yourself

Imagine

actually being okay

And maybe even happy,

instead of having to wear a mask

constantly worrying about

if people can see through the cracks

Imagine not having to

worry about

the opinions of others

every time you step out in public

Because it doesn't take much

for it to weigh us down,

but it takes nearly everything

to lift ourselves back up

But I don't want to imagine.

I want it to be real.

I know it won't,

But I can only imagine.