To All You Around Me

 To those who are friends, hello again.

To friends from times past, I miss you. How are you?

To the people I met in the first week of college, I've been cheering for you from here.

To those I knew in high school, I'm cheering for you too.

To those I knew in middle and grade school, look how far we've come. 

To those who throughout the years have called me weird, I thank you because I am.

To those who thought that I was not pretty or anywhere near it, know that beauty cannot define you or me.

To those who whispered under their breath when I dared to be brave, be smart, I hope you've learned to use your voice in strength and for good.

To those who picked apart my Instagram, did you find what you were looking for?

To those who laughed behind my back, where is your true joy now?

To those who saw me belittled, iced out, ignored, but did not speak up or to me, I understand why you saved yourselves.

To those who watched my weight decline and saw the light leave my eyes, I promise I ate lunch today.

To those who only saw me as a force of strength, I cried more than you'd believe.

To those who assumed I wouldn't learn of what you said or that I wouldn't see your snark, I always hear the calling of my own name.

To the boys who loved me but were broken themselves, I hold forgiveness for you.

To the friends who left or grew apart, was it you or me that lost the spark?

To those who didn't know how to help, you couldn't. I had to help myself.

To those who stayed when I hurt and felt pulled away, I think about you so often.

To those who held my hand when it was shaking with anxiety, my own hand is always free for you.

To those who see the good in me, I see it in you too.

To those who stood by my side while I flew,

and then fell,

and then got back up again,

I will never forget you.

To those around me who have loved me, know that I love you too.

To you all around me, I am made up of the pieces of me that you have given, taken, shattered, healed, returned, or carried for me when I couldn't carry any more.

To all you around me, I hope you believe in your own power.

-Emma Lancaster