survive

What do you do

when a person is so determined to see you fail,

that you actually start believing that your worth

is determined by their judgment?

Do you buckle up, grit your teeth,

and pick yourself up after you fail

or do you wallow in depths of despair?

I use and abuse

and I curse and I cruise

But nothing makes me sadder than

seeing me lose

to the world

which cannot see my worth;

You don't deserve this, baby girl--

You've got places to be, people to love,

moments to bless

and impress your soul

with the depths that your heart can bear.

"Love thy neighbor"

but not if it means

breaking down your self-worth,

battling those demons to see your reflection

in the pitch-black darkness.

Love, let live, and laugh

what a joke

all of these

house of mirror-level mind fuckery

Yes, I am bitter

and Yes, I am determined to try

despite all odds

my strongest will is to survive.