How are you?

No, really, how are you?

If you’re fine then good,

But if you’re not and you’re

Just saying that, then stop…

Rethink, remind, and let it out.

It’s fine if you start crying,

Because crying is one of the

Many natural reactions to this

Sort of remark.

So let it out.

Let all of it out.

Let all your aggravations loose.

Have your desperate cries reign free.

Allow your emotionless mind to

Break, so you can finally

Know what it’s like to not

Feel numb anymore.

The brain rotting stress consuming

Our minds will only grow if

We let it.

So it’s best to just give in to the

Tears, and let it out now before

The worst becomes a reality.

And to those who hate

Hearing all this sappy

Crap, then bear with me

For a second, because as

Much as I hate saying

This; it’s true.

I’m not gonna say that everything’s going

To be fine, because in

Reality, it probably won’t.

Maybe. Maybe not.

I don’t know.

I’m not a specialized

therapist, or anything

Like that.

I’m just a kid.

17 going on 18

I’m going to be an

Adult, but that doesn’t

Mean I know how to

Be one.

But I have to try or

Else I, and many others,

Might end up on the side

Of the road, or hanging

From the ceiling, just because

The ongoing stress of trying

To be something we’re not.

Our acerbic cries for help

Will only be blocked out,

Just so they can turn

Us into obsequious servants

For the higher ups to

Make fun of.

But as the days go on,

And the numbers rapidly

Decrease, then there will be

No one for them to taunt,

And exploit.

And do not say that you’re

Fine when you’re obviously not!

Because with each passing

Second, things get worse and

Worse!

I’m tired.

I’m tired of people

Saying that I’m fine.

I’m exhausted, burnt out,

And even frustrated.

Angry with the world because

Of… I don’t know what.

It just seems to me

That everyone expects

Me to do something, but I

Just don’t know what.

They want me to wash

The dishes, do my homework,

Have good grades, get

A job!

Do this, do that!

But never; how are you?

I (try) to sit up straight,

I (try) to get straight A’s,

And I eat most of the

Veggie’s on my plate,

But I’m 17 going 18,

And I’m not sure if I have

The courage to do anything

Anymore.

The grand denials of my

Troubles were the start of

My problems, and they

Only increase the more I

Question if I even have them.

However, there appears to be

Some sliver of hope for me…

It might sound sappy,

But with the right people

To help me out,

I think I’ll be okay.

I have my friends, my

Partners, my family,

And many other associates

That are willing to come to

My aid, if needed.

And when I’m finished

With this, I don’t want

Hear your questions

Asking if I’m okay, because

With the deserved satisfaction

In my heart, I can

Finally say that I’m fine.

I mean,

sure, I might have

My ups,

My downs,

And even when things feel

Like they’re upside down!

But I’m great right now.

So back to the previous

Question…

How are you?