Storybook

For the first time in my life, I want to live.

Let me explain for those who can’t understand

I’ve lived my whole life in my head

This world a strange and distant land

The stories I’ve held close to my chest

Were the ones that made most sense to me–

Magic wands, Earth’s ancient songs

An idea of somewhere I’d be free

*

But stories only take you so far

And life is not a book that you read

Flipping through chapters (Maybe I’ll be happier

After that plot twist in Chapter Three)

*

The truth is, I’ve never known what it’s like

To feel the moment and taste it all–

Some kind of trauma, an early life drama

Came, and my body kept me from the fall

Well-meaning of course, but the problem with safe

Is you never get to be where you are.

You never feel life in all its zeal

You only wish upon a star

*

Now here I stand, feet on the ground

The first sips of air fresh in my lungs

The brain is a strange and ancient friend.

The truth is, I was here all along

Just waiting for the moment

When I could shed what kept me from my glory–

I no longer live in a storybook

But maybe one day, I’ll tell my story

———

———————

Thank you to Kayleigh for partially inspiring this poem by sharing her own story. You can read her amazing work here 💕✨