My mother warned me about cigarettes that could cause cancer But she never told me that self-hatred can grow faster than any tumour ever could My father warned me that I should never stop thinking But he never told me that overthinking would kill my happiness My sister warned me about other people who might make hurtful comments about me But she never told me that instead of hearing someone else’s voice, I’d hear my own My brother warned me about drugs in baggies sold on the street, But he never told me about the ones that people put in your glass when you’re not looking My grandmother warned me about the devil with his tail and red horns But she never told me about his angelic smile and dark, ocean blue eyes My grandfather warned me about booze that could kill But he never told me that if you drink enough alcohol, it tastes like love My cousin warned me that I should lose my virginity to a guy I love But she never told me he should love me, too My aunt warned me that if I kept eating that much, I might vomit But she never told me that even without eating anything, you can hang over the toilet and puke My baby sitter warned me that a boy could break my heart But she never told me that if I made him mad, he’d also break my arm and nose My teacher warned me about dangerous men with knives that could cut my throat But she never told me that I didn’t need these men to cut my skin They all warned me that I shouldn’t do dangerous things that could kill me But I never had the chance to ask them if slitting both of my wrists vertically And taking thirty-eight aspirins, was one of these dangerous things