My Two Cents, Though I’m Worth Much More
by Alana Hixson
Want advice from someone who knows?
Here it is.
Composed in response to the question:
“If you could give one piece of advice to young girls today, what would it be?”
It is not the most politically correct thing to say.
It is not what anyone wants to hear.
And I will not be winning Miss America this year because of it.
It is not one simple suggestion.
It is a handful of vital information
that nobody had the guts to tell me.
Many children’s bones and muscles force them to let go of their balloons.
Unwillingly.
Which float, seductively swaying off to heaven,
never to return…
And you never walk on a lonely playground days later
to see the flaccid remnants of a popped one to savor,
even if you so desperately want to.
Some victims cry uproariously.
Some victims are rendered speechless.
All victims stare blankly,
making the realization that they have lost something.
Forever.
Like butterflies and lollipops and rainbows, balloons are just another
childhood delicacy
that should lose accreditation and emphasis in
childhood dreams
because all they do is crush your heart when they are gone.
Want advice from someone who knows?
Don’t believe everything people tell you.
What goes up doesn’t always come down.
What you let go doesn’t always come back.
Run in signs of danger.
And if you’re caught?
Brace yourself:
Because you will not enjoy the feeling of being brutalized.
Numb Yourself:
Because sex will not ever feel like it does right now again.
Forgive yourself:
Because it is not your fault.
So most important,
If you still want advice from someone who knows
I would tell those young girls,
“Cherish your balloons.”
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