If I could visit my younger self I would go back to the day when
my laughter was brighter than the blue skies.
When I used to laugh
running after butterflies.
When I jumped untouched
at every bump in the road.
And every fork of the road
I took it with so much ease,
and I changed direction like
the water flowing on the mountains.

When I was just a kid
But such a brave one.
I had a princess look
with a lion’s heart.
“Never run scared!”
My mom used to tell me
every night before sleep.
“Never run away!”

It feels like hundred years ago.
I look at myself in the mirror
and I’m not sure if
my smile is the same.
If my eyes see the same.

My adult clock struck a little too early for me.
My shoulders became heavy from the weight
of responsibilities(but they weren’t mine to hold).
My mom told me not to run scared.
And I didn’t.
I stayed.

And I stayed even when my heart got broken.
Even when my soul cried.
I wanted so much to hope for a better life.
Is it really worth it?

I traveled seven seas and
still couldn’t run away.

Finding a gem in the middle of the stones
never was my thing, so I learn to catch stones instead.
My heart is still a lion’s, is just tired.

So if I could back to my good old days,
and I could meet that bright smile with a hurricane attitude,
I would whisper:

It’s okay baby!
You can leave a place to protect yourself.
You don’t need to be strong before your time comes.
I am here, and we will make it, but baby,
protect your heart!
Always protect your heart.

I would say:
I love you…
And then, unlike all the rest,
I’d stay, I’d stay, I’d stay…

©Fiori D