[disclaimer: This poem is a little raw. I wrote it at 3:30am and refused to edit it afterward.]

I used to think that I was big

I used to think that I was strong

I used to think “I’m an adult.”

And that I was smarter than everyone else.

All that I’ve learned over my years

Is that what I think is irrelevant

You never truly know yourself

Until you’ve faced something you’ve never faced before.

Now I know that I am small

Now I know that I am weak

Now I know, I’ll always be a child

And I’ll never know enough.

The trials I’ve faced have broken me down

But they’ve taught me something real

Despite what I might think about myself

I’ll surprise myself when I have to

I can do this.

I can survive.

I am me.

I’ve been through worse.