I Am

I am from a broken family

Where love is found, but always wanting more

I am from an ill mother diagnosed and living away from home

Where dad has to maintain but never acts when it comes to my needs

Yearning for something that is not always there

I am from a family where my siblings are also my mom and dad, my providers

When I once thought I would never make it far in life knowing I had much potential

I am from a place where I get love but it never feels enough

Coming from depression, having my ups and down

Made from my own empty feelings of inside numbing me from reoccurring thoughts

With only myself to blame

I am from a place where music became my salvation, my best friend

Headphones always around my neck,

Sounding like a beautiful goddess, haunting, peaceful, and loud full of screams

Sending chills down my body being my tourniquet

I am from where I’ve been down,

Lower than the deepest oceans to where I learned to pick myself up and keep pushing

I am from where my past made me who I am

My bumps and tumbles shaped me to be the real me

Though not many people know me, I always know who I am

From my past and future, I will stand and take pride of the person I am today

For without my challenges in life, I would not be the same strong person.

I am,

Me

By Erick, age 17