I am revising myself, an improved edition. The new version will say something on its freshly printed pages about forgiving myself – to help me start over.

Chapter One would be called: Not Letting Self-Hatred Have the Last Word, highlighting the benefits of acceptance, and how those older versions of me still need my love…
I need to show kindness to myself by not caring about what I look like
Just thinking I’m beautiful just the way I am
I need to mend myself by eating healthier, eating less candy
I know it’s bad for me but the flavor is so good

Chapter Two will be titled: Where You Stumble, There is Your Treasure, exploring the clever way my mistakes, that I thought were my enemies, have also been my teachers…
I made a mistake when I got prediabetic
But I learned to eat healthy
Except it’s hard when I see other people eating candy
Then I want some too

Another chapter, Chapter Three, will be called: Things I Am Dropping Down the Garbage Chute. In my life I want to toss out some feelings and experiences…
I want to toss out the bad things my dad did to my mom and the times I was disobedient

Definitely, the last section will be Chapter Four: About My New Hopes, which describes my many aspirations…
My aspirations are to eat healthier, go to college, become an Obstetrics and gynecology doctor
My aspirations are the color green (it’s my favorite color)
And they look like a big grassy field
With a bunch of flowers and trees
And hope and courageousness

This poem is published in The Light in My World, a compilation of original poetry written by young people ages 5 – 12 who stayed with their families in housing at Solid Ground’s Broadview Emergency Shelter & Transitional Housing for women and children. The young authors who contributed to The Light in My World are not identified by their real names, and some details have been changed to protect the privacy and confidentiality of them and their families. The authors retain copyrights on their individual works.