I tell myself I’m fine
When I can’t breathe in the air
In an unfamiliar place
My lungs collapsing with
The weight of life.
I tell myself I’m smart,
When I do something wrong, and
Mess up my life
With the migration of my tongue around
A word I know too well.
I tell myself I’m well
When I cry myself to sleep
Wondering whether the day
that’s approaching will
transpose my sadness to joy
I tell myself I can
When I know full well
That I am not adept
Enough to deal with
The rocky road I will lead
I tell myself I’m worthy
When everyone whispers
Imposter at my every move,
and the person I was
kicks me down
Does it matter now
That I had once
Danced among the stars
And drank from the darkness
That surrounds them
That blissful sting that
Shrouds them
