what the World said:

the World a ton too many times told you:
“dont you dare think well of yourself”

so you split in half:
warring against the best you know you could be
and the worst you know you certainly are.

the World said:
“look down on yourself
and up at others.
look at all you ever won't be
and watch all the places you'll fall to”

so you donned sadness,
coated yourself in ugly
and denied all that could be radiant.
you turned yourself colorless,
shut off the hope
and said yes to the shackling.

the World said:
“good. you're doing the right thing.
pity and turn aside”

so you pulled at all your imperfections,
stretching them out.
you placed yourself in a ball and rolled over.

the World said:
“i'm sorry. i'm sorry for what i have done to you.
but despite the richness of your pain,
the delicacy of the dark that has circumstanced itself around you,
despite it all,
i now want you to keep going”

You said:
“keep going?
you're an asshole”

the World said:
“i know. i am. and i always will be, most likely.
but while you have split yourself,
i need you to sink deeper down, weep and hope for worth.
brokenness is not the end.
i promise.” 

Art by Caroline Näslund. Words by Jordan Shappell