May 02, 2026

Teachers

I would like to think we take parts of people with us forever.

Women.

Mom taught me what family really meant,    

 the harvest of discipline and hard work.

They taught me to look up at the moon,     

how to write, and to emote,     

how to read people like a sixth sense.        

They taught me the magic of Ghibli and the sorcery of a cat's trust.

They taught me to always wear my seatbelt,     

taught me what affairs looked like     

and what a trauma bond feels like.         

Most importantly, they taught me society is heteronormative        

 and taught me how to grovel and fawn

because love had to be earned.

Men.

Dad taught me to be patient, to be kind, to love without bounds.

They taught me it's not weird if he's drunk,     

taught me saying no wasn't always enough,        

most importantly, they made me learn to always double lock my doors.

You.

You taught me what safety feels like.     

You taught me how to hold people, including myself.  

You taught me what I never learned:  

I deserve to exist.