Young Ones

A poem

Tomorrow, you’ll find out that they’re having a family. Don’t panic.

Within those moments, release the breath you were holding. Don’t forget

to let him know how happy you are. Congratulations are in order. Don’t remember

how far you still have to go. Just how far you’ve already gotten. Don’t quit.

You’re almost okay.

.:.

Tomorrow, you’ll find out when the wedding will be. Don’t show

your face, the lifeless expression, the sad calm. Show the other one,

the normal one. The nice one. The one

that made no one want to question you. The one

that lies between expectations and reality. The one

that you wish you could actually be.

You’ll be okay.

.:.

Tomorrow, you’ll find out about her. You’ll see her on your feed,

and you’ll feel it like a trade he made. You’ll see her

in every living room furniture, your favorite couch, his favorite tee. You’ll see her

in the empty spaces and every line, every post, every like, every photo, every thing. You’ll see her

even when you don’t want to see her.

Forgive yourself today, empty it out. Prepare to see her again tomorrow.

.:.

Tomorrow, he’ll say goodbye. He might lie,

or he might tell the truth. He might cry, or he might send an email. He might

not even say goodbye. Just disappear from you forever, trace or no trace. It might

feel like an abnormality in your breathing, a sudden hollowness in the middle. It might

sound like something is cutting you vertically at your spine. Like a vacuum in your chest. Like your skin on the inside, slowly peeling, raw and exposed, slightly bleeding.

It will be painful. When you get home, open your wine.

Quietly feel, smile, cry. Do what needs to be done. But do it alone.

There is no strength in numbers for this one.

You’ll be okay.

.:.

Tomorrow, you’ll find out about yourself. Just how strong you can be

when nothing is left. Discover your bones, designed to withstand

loss and madness. Made of stuff

that is beyond unbreakable. You’ll find out what really makes you happy,

what makes you tick. But most of all, you’ll remember

a love that has always been yours. A love that no lover can take away.

A love that was never yours to keep, but will always be yours anyway.

Bask in that love, be joyful and happy. Do what you must, but always remember:

You are okay. You always will be.