I’ve been on this earth
for sixteen long years
I’ve learned
several years of math,
grammar, spelling,
science, and history.
But when will I learn things like
how to control my emotions,
or when to stop eating,
or how to convince myself
to get out of bed every day
rather than wallowing
in my sadness?
When are they going to teach me
how to forgive,
and forget,
and how not to fall in love
with every person
that gives me any form
of attention?
When will they teach me
how to say no when everyone
expects me to go along with it,
or when it’s okay to say yes?
When will they teach me
to love myself, even when
others don’t?