To the girl I knew six Octobers ago,
it hurts to see the way your sweater matches your eyes,
because I know they turn gray sometimes
like the storm cloud you zip up over your shoulders.
You haven’t found the right language yet,
so you speak in knotted strings and layered sleeves, but that’s okay.
I wish I could tell you that you are heard,
but there’s a steadiness in my voice you wouldn’t recognize.
To the girl I knew six Novembers ago,
I know you aren’t comfortable with who you are.
You’ll dye your hair blue and your wardrobe black,
and you’ll miss wearing sunsets, but you won’t admit it.
I know you want to be edgy, but not everything needs to seem sharp.
You will learn to express yourself in words that don’t confuse art with defiance,
and you’ll learn that a cup of tea and a single letter
can be the difference between pain and paint.
To the girl I knew six Decembers ago,
someday you’ll understand why you can’t live life alone.
You won’t forget the haunting curiosity for a home beyond the clouds,
but you’ll remember that it was never loud enough for you to listen.
You’ll fall in love with the stars, but you’ll learn that you never belonged with them.
I know the word home never tastes quite right in your mouth,
but darling, it doesn’t need to carry all that weight in your chest,
and you can find pieces of it in every place where you feel safe.
To the girl I knew six Januarys ago,
you’re still finding yourself, so please be patient with your growth.
You’ll wear colors again, and you’ll learn how to write with them.
You’ll learn that it’s okay to spill honesty in your poetry and sugar in your tea,
and I promise that both are sweeter this way.
You will learn the balance of keeping your eyes on the sky and your feet on the ground.
And on the days when the sun doesn’t shine as brightly,
know that there is enough light in you
to unzip the storm cloud and take its place.
Cindy Green is a forest-wandering, poetry-scribbling stargazer with messy notebooks and messy thoughts. Despite her love for all of God’s creation, sunflowers and stars in particular have a way of sneaking into both her writing and her heart (but you won’t hear her complaining about it). She is an amateur sword-wielder with a Highland-dancing warrior spirit who also writes letters to the moon and considers the sky her best friend. A focused daydreamer, organized pack rat, and oblivious observer, she is a self-professing ambivert (or a living contradiction) who deeply feels both the beauty and fallen state of the world. Through her words, she hopes to describe the indescribable and form personal connections with people while reflecting a love for her Savior and a passion for everything she touches.
THIS IS ME.
❤❤❤
I almost cried when I read this. You are so good at expressing what’s inside a person and weaving in your beautiful message, Cindy <3
Aww, Libby! I’m thankful it was able to touch you. Thank you for your kind words, lovely girl 🙂
YES. Love this. So relatable and beautiful.
Thank you, Katelynn!
Wow. This is so beautiful! It’s amazing how your words show so much feeling that normally can’t be spoken.
Sunflowers and stars are absolutely amazing.
Yessss, sunflowers and stars ❤ Thank you for reading, Josie Anne!
This is so beautiful! Such incredible turns of phrase!
Aww, thanks so much!
Gorgeous! I loved reading this. Your figurative language was beautiful.
Thanks so much! I appreciate that 🙂
who knew words could be so stunning? cindy you are a blessing to the world. <3
*melts* I’m so glad you liked it, Lydia!
Wow! I almost cried. I think I needed this. The part about not knowing our language yet means the most to me. I’m still learning mine, and watching others learn theirs. Thanks you so much for this!!! Needless to say it was beyond describing. It’s one of those precious pieces of writing that makes you look at things completely differently. Thank you so much over and over again.
WOOO!! I LOVE THIS SOOO MUCH!!!!!
It’s wonderful!!!!!!
I know I’m super late to this, but I was scrolling through the poetry here on Story Embers and I saw this poem. This is pure gorgeousness… so real and relatable. Thank you so much for sharing this!