By Jenee Rodriguez

I adore a mystery.
Now, at 26,
I never felt more like one in my life.

My past is in the clear water,
and I say thank you each day
for the things I thought about
at 16, 18, 20, 21.

Mistakes have become memories,
some universal heartbreaks,
some minimums—
But I am no longer hard on myself for them.

I only look back
to try and tell me something,
to tell you the words that burn inside now:
I love you no matter what.

I don’t have to be afraid to look anyone
in the eye. Thank you, past me, for staying strong.
You kept me alive.

I became beautiful because of you.
I won’t let you forget that.

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From the Writer:
To all my young girls: loving hard is your real power, and patience is everything. One day you will look back and remember all your bravery and boldness, how you went through the floods and flames, and how ready you were for the better things in life. — Jenee Rodriguez