do you know how hard it is
to be strong and soft
to be powerful and kind?
i see more of people
than they see of themselves
i give a home to orphaned
emotions that broken humans
place near the road in cardboard
boxes reading, " dn ǝpıs sıɥʇ "

do you know how hard it is
to devour injustice with your eyes
but not vomit endless rivers
of lava and fury
to carry delicate hearts made of
flower petals and silk
in the same hands that hold
back all deluge of despair
to not destroy the one
while restraining the other

do you know how hard it is
to carry the weakness of others
under your tongue
your mouth always pregnant
with ignorance trying to escape
your teeth the only cage that
keeps your rage from
eradicating those who need you
but are too proud to ask for help
and too blind to know to thank you

no, i don't think you do
you don't know how hard it is
to be a hurricane and a whisper
a tear and a caress
but if you did
i wouldn't have had to learn
that i am important

-inspired by the poet, rupi kaur, and the aggressive dumbass at work, but mostly rupi