An Open Book

To the pages that have been written,

In the words you’ve read, you’ve heard:
“Make them laugh.”
“Make them smile.”
“Be there when they cry.”
“Listen. Love.”

In the words you’ve written, you want them to hear:
“Esther can’t always make you laugh.”
“Esther can’t always make you smile.”
“Esther can’t always be there when you cry.”
“Esther can’t always listen and she can’t always love.”

In the words you write, you’re hoping they’ll say:
“Esther, you can laugh.”
“Esther, you can smile.”
“Esther, I’ll be here when you cry.”
“Esther, I’ll listen and I’ll love.”

And when you’re done writing, you’re hoping you’ll say:
“I can laugh.”
“I can smile.”
“I can cry and they’ll be here.”
“I am heard and I am loved.”

Sincerely, Esther