i'm okay | Teen Ink

i'm okay

April 6, 2021
By piperw811 PLATINUM, Pittsford, New York
piperw811 PLATINUM, Pittsford, New York
45 articles 0 photos 8 comments

Favorite Quote:
"chemistry between people is the strangest science of all" - Bridgett Devoue


i’m okay, she says
and she is
if okay is standing on a
cliff, failing to
take in the view because
she can’t bear to fall


falling means life or death
and an emotional plummet
isn’t always fatal but
to her
it’s the end of the world


she allows her mind to
wander to the last thing that
made her happy
and realizes she can’t
pinpoint it


nerves clench her
consistently and if she makes
a false step she could
find herself at
the bottom of a canyon
before she notices


tears teeter at the corner of her eyes
but no, she’s okay and
they seemingly disappear
but she knows
they’re right there


she’s not numb
she’s not depressed
on the surface,
she’s perfectly fine.
she smiles and waves,
treats people with kindness
and plays her violin
dexterously, daintily,
elegantly.


others have it worse than she does
and there’s no
physical pain that’s
harming her
it’s all internal
and you can’t believe
what you can’t see


how are you?
the only truly acceptable answer
to both herself and
the rest of the world:
i’m okay.


The author's comments:

The response "I'm okay" is rarely truthful; I believe we deserve to answer the question honestly. Someone else's pain or struggling shouldn't diminish your own struggles and pain. If you're not okay, you shouldn't feel as though you have to lie. 


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This article has 2 comments.


oliviav05 GOLD said...
on Apr. 20 2021 at 1:17 pm
oliviav05 GOLD, Grand Blanc, Michigan
19 articles 0 photos 25 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Nelson Mandela

Wow. I really have nothing else to say. This was beautiful.

on Apr. 8 2021 at 5:55 pm
ivaramos224 GOLD, San Antonio, Texas
18 articles 0 photos 3 comments
wow this is amazing, I'm literally speechless.