A not-so birthday poem

It's more like a letter to myself, but I don't care.

Happy 18th birthday, self.

So much has happened to you,

With everything not always full of sunshine,

And songs that ended certainly too soon,

You managed somehow to make it through.

With friends coming and going in every direction

From unexpected places, you might have felt

Like an outsider, like a different animal

Than everyone else around you.

You struggled to make yourself known

(and you still do; there's no use denying that)

And you tried your best in all you do,

Which is all that is asked of you by all

Who truly loved you all along.

Don't feel so alone thinking of all of those

That are leaving you when the time comes.

Be glad you knew them, be glad you loved them,

Be glad you still love them, for love conquers all.

Someday soon, you'll meet again,

But don't be surprised if you don't at all.

Yes, it will seem disappointing, but maybe, just maybe

Everything truly is a blessing in disguise.

Happy 18th birthday, self, that's all I wish of you.

I wish you the very best with all that you do.

Your dream, for now, may be on hold,

But it won't stop you from working on it.

You will become smarter, bolder, less quiet,

And in the end it all will better you.