Be Careful

This poem is powerful and unflinching. It reads like a necessary, urgent conversation with the self — raw and compelling.

Be careful of what you think.
If you think bad thoughts, you are a bad person.
Thinking to be good but not good is a waste of time.
Your thoughts are ever consuming.
You can’t breathe, because you must always be ready.
Ready for what?
Be careful, be careful.

Be careful, for you are not misunderstood.
You are evil within and are of malice.
You are weak and too forgiving.
Ask for too much and give not enough.
You are not a kind person, but a person of kind actions.
You are to be controlled and told what you should believe,
of who you are and what you desire.
Be careful, be careful.

Be careful, for the title of victim comes with many ties.
Speaking of hurt and feelings are not the same.
Keep being silent on what you feel
and letting the screams give way.
You are at fault"
taking everything within,
no accountability of your own failure or your sins.
You’re comfortable in staying,
saying and resting in despair,
as you wanted more but gave into less.
You accepted less, celebrated less.
You are not a victim,
but an enabler of your own sorrow.
Be careful, be careful.

Be careful, as time is running out.
If you have faith, then why so sad?
If you desire something, why so unmotivated?
You will die.
Maybe not now and maybe not then,
but one day it will go dark"
and that’s the beginning and the end.
Will you be happy with what you have seen?
Be careful, be careful.

I scream to you, Lakendra, from within.
I am here telling you where to begin.
You won’t listen, and time is going away from you.
Be careful with this precious life.
With its expiration date"
it has no grace,
no favor,
no love, and is cold.
Be careful, because if you cannot love and honor yourself,
want and strive for better,
respect and discipline yourself"
be careful, be careful, for no one will.