i was once told i was too much,
cried often and too much,
sulked often and too much,
but i was raised…conditioned.

conditioned to feel,
to see,
to hear,
to do,
too much.

“too much”, he said,
not knowing how much his words cut.
i was raised compassionate,
to love fully,
deeply,
as deep as the mariana trench.

trenches: that’s where you’ll find me.
fighting for you, fighting for me.
fighting too much.
fighting too soon.