The way you gently comfort your younger self in this poem is mesmerizing. It comes off as a sweet song you sing as you cradle the more vulnerable parts of yourself. Very magical! The line “rebellion is a cage too” is thought provoking. The idea that escape from one cage can lead you to another is extremely interesting. Thank you for sharing!

The way you write about the fear you overcame is so vivid and visceral! The feeling of painful glass that you invoke is brilliant. Then your shift of tone to something more empowering read as though you have found power in your pain, because you got through it. “Your age is full of grace” is an uncommon sentiment these days; more people should view growing older as a blessing. Thank you for sharing!

People rarely ever speak of the future as kind, and the way you’ve written about it has changed my view. Most of the time, people write about the uncertain aspects of the future, but the way you write about how the specific ways you want to influence your destiny is refreshing. Thank you for sharing!

I love how you structure your story as a guide with specific aspects that have helped you persevere. It is also so important how you made it clear to emphasize not always being willing to compromise, because the world tries to force us into positions that aren’t favorable for us so often. Thank you for sharing!

Being a child is about creating fantasies around growing up, but it is what we do in our growing up that either confirms our imaginations or denies them. I like how you mention your travels, because travel can teach so much, and people who have travelled a lot tend to be wise. Thank you for sharing your experience of growing up.

I think people make it seem like a person has to find peace once, but the reality is you have to keep finding peace in order to maintain it if that makes sense. That’s partially why the metaphor you used is so genius; we can’t keep the same armor on forever!

The way you write about seeing yourself is so important. The world is really good at making us feel overlooked. The line “Tomorrow is new, I can grow with it or change it,” highlights the fact that change will happen regardless of what actions we take, but also human nature is change, whether proactive or reactive. Thank you for sharing! Your presence here is needed, and the world is all the better with you in it.

This can be made into a song! When you say “I am proof, you will not fall,” I imagine you standing up tall and strong. You wrote your own destiny and created the reality you wanted backed by your faith. Thank you for sharing your journey with your faith.

I love your fantastical and mystical approach to self love and acceptance. Your poem reads as if like you’ve followed your internal compass to a magical place. The concept of a “siren of truth” is extremely interesting; you draw people in with honesty and openness. Thank you for sharing your experience!

I am enthralled by your style of writing. “I embrace and take care of the girl I left behind,” is such an important, warm line; the importance of taking care of the children that still exist in us as we enter adulthood cannot be understated. You write with confidence and a self-trust that is extremely inspiring. Thank you for sharing!

It’s so relatable how such a small moment like a bus being late can lead to the lesson that humanity and grace come from accepting mishaps and missteps. Sometimes it only takes the right words from the right person to snap you out of certain anxieties and insecurities.

This poem sounds so powerful and moving! The way you write about the power within you is uplifting, especially when the world constantly beats down on us and tries to convince us we are weaker than we actually are. The way you use your words is so interesting; when you say “Bred into your blood and etched into your bones,” there’s this intensity that comes from the fact you’ve managed to write about your inherent power in this way, and it makes this line is probably my favorite in your poem. Thank you for sharing!

Society tends to reduce us to our disabilities, and it oftentimes teaches us to limit our dreams and aspirations. It is remarkable what you accomplished despite the limitations society put on you. Your story shows you are capable and strong, and you are deserving of whatever success finds you. Keep moving forward, and do not forget to rest!

Many people pride themselves on their love for themselves, but they neglect to realize how potent another person’s love is. I’m sorry that the world made you cry yourself to sleep, but you were always deserving of love. It is inspiring to hear you have found the partner for you who shows you the love you need.

You show us how we can be vulnerable and strong and how to love both of those parts of ourselves equally. Your honesty about your change of perception as you grew is powerful, and the way you show gratitude for your younger self for what you went through is beautiful. You show us that we need to be kind to the versions of ourselves who endured the most. Your wisdom guides all of the rest of us.

It’s so good to hear you have found a safe place. The peace you have found is yours to keep and enjoy because you deserve it! While the feeling of abandonment was once strong, you found a place and a person to fulfill your dreams, and you show us that this reality is possible for all of us. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you for sharing! Your poetry feels nostalgic and warm, and it evokes wonderful memories. It shows you have held onto the faith and hope we have when we are young and try so hard to maintain. The world will benefit from you continuing to share your art.

The thing about growing up is that we get to do a lot of the things we wanted to do when we were young and told no. Keep taking care of your younger self. Thank you for sharing your poem!

Your story reminds us to stay in the present and enjoy the sweeter smaller moments in life! Thank you for sharing.

After reading your poem, I feel lighter! The weight of judgement is extremely heavy, and I’m glad you have gotten out from under that burden.