the one

hold it;
hold it all together.
swallow that hard pill today,
and be aware
that you will swallow it again
tomorrow.

hold it;
keep it all together.
take every piece of
what once was a feeling
and make sure to put it all
into a big glass jar
right above your bed
so it will be an effective reminder.

hold it;
get your shit together.
I don't know where you got
this idea of
being vulnerable,
but I suggest you let it go.
there is no time for you
to suffer.
there is no time for you
to cry.
there is no place in your life
even for the tiniest doubt.
not now.

hold it;
hold your breath.
hold it until
you can't feel
anything
at all —

and then
move forward.

for that is who you are
that is who you were
and that is
pretty much
who you will always be.

the one who holds it all
and never let anyone fall;
never allows the boat to sink;
never surrenders to the storm;
the one
who stands.