Reid@YWP

Through the knotweed. Down the ladder made of tree roots. Up onto the big rock. By the river.  I stand, mud on my ankle and cuts on my knees. The sun sits just barely above the trees as the sweat sits just above my brow.

When I was small,

the sky was a storybook—

every page dotted with stars

too many to count,

each one whispering my name.

But now the nights glow

with lights that never sleep.

Life is

meant to be lived

Fully and completely.

You need to commit.

Fully.

You aren’t meant to dip one toe in from the edge

You’re meant to dive in 

with no hesitation

no “what ifs”.

past the burning day,

at bedtime when I shrug off sleep,

When I've got school the next morning, and I shouldn't be here,