It’s Okay

beautiful Nightbirde

sang these words

and I heard her

cheering us on—

it’s okay

hang in there

things are going to be alright

— though I skipped past

‘we’re all a little lost’.

then Nightbirde took her last breath

and it wasn’t okay

it didn’t feel alright at all.

I listened again

this time hearing,

feeling

Nightbirde’s words anew,

her heart acknowledging

certain realities—

life is hard

we all hurt,

experiencing lostness

in so many ways, so many moments,

—together,

in our mutual sorrow,

we can be okay.

are you feeling lost today?

uncomfortable, uncertain

insecure

fearful of an unknown future

wounded by life events

lonely, unloved?

you’re not alone, friend,

the sharp edges of life touch us all.

it’s okay to feel all the emotions

perhaps even curled up on the bathroom floor.

it’s okay to struggle and grieve

fists clenched, raised to the heavens.

it’s okay to release the tears

in the biggest, ugliest cry ever.

but also, remember—

to open your arms and heart,

welcome the comfort of fellow sufferers.

in our humanity

we can help each other in all the moments,

whether hard or glorious.

and in this knowing—

we’re not alone.

we can feel and experience deeply

it’s okay. it’s alright.