Epiphany

Dear Reader,

The following is a summary of all the important (and foolish) lessons that I have learned throughout my 19 years. Most of them are involving love (I've had a headache or two because of love) so I thought I should share. Experience is the best (and meanest) of teachers.

Sincerely,
Papillon
___________________________________________

I've learned that broken hearts mend
And band-aids don’t work
And I’ve learned that falling for the sake of falling
Leaves you scraped knees and a bleeding heart
And no one to help you up
I’ve learned that painting plastic and pretending it’s gold
Fools no one, not even yourself
I’ve learned that people go away
Sometimes for a little while
Sometimes for a long while
And sometimes forever
There’s nothing you can really do about it
You just have to live with it
I’ve learned that,
After all is said and done,
We’re just lanterns passing in the dark
And the light and heat fades so fast
We just have to enjoy it while it’s there
And remember it for what it was
And for what it wasn’t
I’ve learned to live for the life
And for the moment and the memories
And not to think about it too much
And sometimes it’s good to do things
If only just “for the story”
I’ve learned that love is a two-way street
And even if someone worships you
And claims to love you more than life itself
You can still not care a spit about them
And nothing they can do will change that
I’ve learned that it is possible to be
“loved to death”
And to cry over the responsibility that it brings
I’ve learned that lies have a way of eating you up inside
And blackening your innocence
And that my parents are sometimes right
Even though I will never, ever tell them that
I’ve learned that it’s never too late to apologize
Or to make things right
And you’re a stronger person for admitting your mistakes
Not weaker
I’ve learned that those boys in the bar
That feed you lines and drinks before they even know your name
Should be avoided at all costs,
Cause they want what you don’t want to give
I’ve learned that the worst traps
Have the shiniest steel, quickest triggers, and nicest promises
And even devils can have pretty smiles
I’ve learned that I’m better than apathy
That loving shouldn’t demand changing
Friends shouldn’t mean sacrifice
Money doesn’t mean happiness
Beauty doesn’t mean kindness
And pleasing everyone is impossible
I’ve learned to stand up for what you believe in
Even if it means standing alone
And I’ve learned that
If it all gets too much
Just go home, wherever that may be,
And somehow –maybe not right away, but eventually-
Everything will be okay again
Nothing is too big to face
If you have those you love
Behind you

~*~