telling someone to be strong

is like telling a building to be still in a hurricane

only the trunk

that bends to the wind

can weather the storm

 

don’t be afraid to watch someone crumble

 

don’t be afraid to be on the bottom

build yourself back up with tears of grieving

or dancing for bricks

 

learn to bend like bamboo

and backsides

swivel the weight around your hips

like a hula hoop

if the world is too much for your shoulders