your words.

your words stick to me
like the tiny stars stuck to my ceiling
holding on for dear life
fighting against the gravity of my forgetfulness
I remember what you told me
and it puts a smile on my face

"I'm so proud of you." 

my heart sings with joy 
creating a symphony of hope
in my world of bleak despair 

"I'm so proud of you." 

these words fill my stomach 
much more than the bagel I'm greedily shoving into my mouth 
they warm my chest
with a pride 
I've never known

"I'm so proud of you."

your words stick to me 
like the tiny stars stuck to my ceiling
my desperate attempt 
to remind myself 
to hang on 
to my fleeting childhood. 

but I know
no matter how old I am
you will always be proud of me.