If I could go back in time

I would say “no” to you

And who you told me I was

When I was starved 

Like an infant left

With hungry skin.

 

I would say “yes” 

to myself more often.

 

I would rewrite 

The voices you left

in my head

who informed me 

that I was wrong

 

I would rewrite 

the voices that said

I didn’t deserve 

a pleasurable life

and the parts of my heart 

that believed it.

 

If I could go back in time

I would ask you:

Why you thought

it was ever ok 

to call me that

and who, at some point,

had done the same

to you?