#180

To you, little one,

A reflection of me when—
miracles were plenty
and rainbows were genuine.

I wish for you,
one day,
to be happy.

But—

don't ever, ever, ever stay too long.

I've never been to war,
yet here I am,
always engaging in the silent battles
of every moment that—
life throws at me anew.

And the worst of all the skirmishes
are the duels after midnight.

Your body may be rested,
but your soul would not.

I beseech you, hear my advice:
don't stay too long.

Though it is better to be strong,
most importantly, be kind.

The world may be cruel,
but you, as the artist, must strive
to make it beautiful—

you, the artificer, the chosen one,
the one—
most beloved.

Before I forget, never let it slip from your mind:
you are loved.

You may not notice it,
but you are.

So be kind,
be strong.

Be happy.

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