Because it may seem like a small role now, but it matters. In the end, everything matters.

It's important to be aware of how we treat others. Even though someone appears to shrug off a sideways comment or to not be affected by a rumor, it's impossible to know everything else going on in that person's life, how we might be adding to his/her pain. People do have an impact on the lives of others; that's undeniable.

Because what if I got to know you and you turned out to be just like they said? What if you weren’t the person I hoped you were? That, more than anything, would have hurt the most.

A flood of emotions rushes into me. Pain and anger. Sadness and pity. But most surprising of all, hope.

That's why you did it. You wanted your world to collapse around you. You wanted everything to get as dark as possible.

How can you call it love when it hurt you so badly?" "It was love because it was worth it.

If you're angry, you don't have to write a poem dealing with the cause of your anger. But it needs to be an angry poem. So go ahead... write one. I know you're at least a little bit angry with me. And when you're done with your poem, decipher it as if you'd just found it printed in a textbook and know absolutely nothing about its author. The results can be amazing...and scary. But it's always cheaper than a therapist.