Youth Voice Writing Contest 2022 — Honorable Mention, Poetry
Safety for me is acknowledging that my past is my future
Safety for me is knowing that all my pain has purpose
Safety for me is being comfortable in my own skin, even when the ugliness prevails over the beauty
Safety for me is accepting others for who they truly are
Safety for me is peace
Safety for me is speaking my truth
Safety for me is knowing how I feel is validated without asking for second opinions
Safety for me is forgiving all who have hurt me and truly wishing them the best in life
Safety for me is knowing my true worth
Safety for me is being my sister’s confidant
Safety for me is knowing that healing is a ugly journey, but as I take it day by day, I will get there
Safety for me is tears of joy that I cry
Safety for me is being truly vulnerable
Safety for me is being open to trusting people
Safety for me is putting myself first
Safety for me is being my birth mother’s peace
Safety for me is living within my purpose
Safety for me is knowing that we have two options in life. We can either quit when things get hard — but that is when you truly fail in life —or we can push through our struggles, realizing that everything we go through — the good and the bad — only makes us stronger.