The moment you crawled from the warmth of your mother’s womb
is the moment that everything changed, though you didn’t realize it.

When you were young there was beauty in every moment,
every breath of air. It’s hard to imagine that now.

It’s hard to imagine a world you don’t question and hate,
a self in the mirror that you could possibly love.

When you’re face down on the floor, you long for the darkness
and safety of a bulging belly. You regret taking your first breath.

But when you want your heart to stop, remember that it once
beat from inside someone else’s ribcage.

Remember, your cells have been dividing since you were microscopic,
and new skin will cover even the deepest of wounds.

Remember, when you were born, you did not cry out of sadness.
You cried so the world would know you were alive.