There was a time in my life
when people admired
that I liked to get straight to the point—
so I sharpened all my points
until they became blades.
One day I woke up and realized
I had become a weapon.

Then I discovered
the beauty of boundaries:
that I didn’t have to put up with people
well, really, at all.
I quickly started hoisting up walls
until one day I woke up
and realized
I had become an island.

Soon a time came when I saw
that self-deprecation
could be used as a manipulative tool.
It made other people feel smart
to always act the fool—
until one day I woke up and realized
I had become a liar.

Then came a time when
I opened my sadness up to the world.
All the others in pain
gathered around
to watch the blaze,
so I kept on burning
until one day I woke up
and realized
I had become a victim.

I learned that hardness
can help a person
survive in this world.
Buoyed by the applause
of all the people
also trying to survive
in this world—
I picked up a few more swords,
bronze casted all of my defences,
until one day I woke up
and I was cruel.

Who are you?
Be Careful.
Practice makes perfect.