Taking Off the Necklace

necklaceThe first day of school is always an occasion in the life of a child, but the first day of Middle School is to the other firsts like Christmas is to Columbus Day is. It’s a big deal. I selected my outfit well in advance and waited at my bus stop with nervous excitement. The focal point of my attention was not on seeing old friends or meeting new teachers, but on a very risky part of my ensemble- a brand-new necklace. The girl I had been up until that point did not wear jewelry and this $10 chain from Claire’s felt like a major fashion statement. As the bus rolled along collecting kids, I felt their eyes burning into me, judging my appearance.

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Dear Family

When I told you that I was still sick,
and that I was going to get help,
we hugged and cried and you gave your support.

And while I was in treatment,
you sometimes inquired,
responding to my positive updates.

But after I left that place,
we never talked about it again.
You assumed the best and I let you

See, this problem thrives in darkness,
I hardly confront it with myself,
and even less with others.

I know it’s not that you didn’t care,
but the fact that you never asked,
really hurts.

If you had asked me straight
I might have lied,
but at least then you could say you tried.

There’s never time to ask the question
with one right answer,
the one that that you won’t hear.

And so it continued,
with you cloaked in wishful thinking,
and me hidden in my shame.

Until, once again, I intervened
tearing open that inner door
shining light on the destruction.

Its like I’ve always known,
that even with all the support in the world
this problem is mine alone to solve.