Today was the day I know I got better. I know because I finally
got that feeling in my stomach again. The one I get when I'm
bored. The one motivating me to do something other than think.
The one saying 'Draw. Pick that pencil up and make something. Let
your feelings out. Who cares if the drawing makes no sense? It's
you.' I missed that feeling. I know I'm better. It came back.
i.
There will be several days that you daydream about stepping
in front of a city bus. Don’t. It will not be
beautiful. It will not be brave. It will be selfish. It
will be broken. Your mother will cry.
ii. Don’t write for him. Write for you. Write for
others like you. Write so the girl that thinks about
stepping in front of public transportation doesn’t.
Don’t be selfish.
iii. When you will yourself to sleep and it doesn’t
come—get
up. It doesn’t matter that it’s 3 am. There
will be other 3 am’s. Take a shower. Take two. Wash
him out of your hair. Write a poem. Read the same book
you’ve read 202 times again. The 203rd time might
tell you something different. Don’t stay in
bed—you
will think about the bus again.
iv. Don’t kiss him because he’s broken.
Don’t kiss him because his laughter never reaches his
eyes. Don’t try and fix him. Fix yourself first. Be
selfish. He can’t save you.
v. Date yourself. Take yourself out to eat. Don’t
share your popcorn at the movies with anyone. Stroll around
an art museum alone. Fall in love with canvases. Fall in
love with yourself.
vi. Dress up and wear red lipstick and get drunk with your
friends. They’re the ones that will pick you up.
Don’t kiss him. Or him. Don’t fall asleep on
strange couches with strange boys. When his hand slides up
your dress walk away. Hit him. Don’t kiss him. He
can’t save you.
vii. Get another tattoo. Get five more. Get another hole in
your ear. Don’t listen to your dad. You will still be
able to get a job. Did you really want to be employed by
someone like your father? Haven’t you had enough of
judgmental old white men anyway?
viii. When you feel the yearning for a new
city—start
over. Take 200 bucks and a three suitcases. Work anywhere
that will have you. Meet strange people and forget your
name. Call yourself Ruby. No one will know the difference.
Remember to call your mother. Don’t be selfish. Come
home when you find yourself in the strangers and the small
one bedroom apartment.
ix. Don’t whisper evil things into your own ear.
Other people are going to shout them at you. Be your own
hero. Keep a sword on your key ring.
x. Don’t step in front of a city bus. It will not be
beautiful. Live. Stay up all night with a boy that promises
you everything and means it. Live. See crappy local bands
with a friend. Wear a different band’s t-shirt. No
one will care. Live. Have a baby girl with tiny fingers and
tiny toes someday. Pour love into her until it’s
overflowing. Live.
stop a minute right
where you are.
relax your shoulders,
shake your head and spine
like a dog shaking off
cold water. tell that
imperious voice in your
head to be still...