Guest Author
By Sri Vaishnavi Janapareddy
Rising 9th grader, Panther Creek High School
I don’t know who needs to hear this but here I am
They will stare if you laugh too hard
They will stare if you are quiet
They will judge if you dress up too much
They will judge if you dress down too less
Some will see wisdom and grace in your words
While others will call you foolish, portraying you as selfish
Some will say you are fierce as a warrior
While others say you are as cowardly as a mouse
They will speak either way so let them be —
It’s ok to cry seas when your heart is too heavy
It’s ok to want a warm hug when it gets too cold
It’s ok to need rest when weary
And it’s ok to let go, if needed what is lost will return
Just know that you are enough
be yourself and let those roots grow
People will truly climb their way to you
Laugh as much as you want
Be as bold as possible
Because you are enough
