To my daughter I will say:
Do not leave for as long as you're with me I will keep you safe.
But if you do - To my daughter I will say: do not ever feel it necessary to prove your worth, do not look for it at the bottom of a bottle with burnt lungs because even though your friends will high five you, you will not be able to stand, and
When the boy with the dark eyes but bright smile spots you- run, do not follow him, do not get into the car, do not laugh- run away.
But if you don't- To my daughter I will say: run to me after. We will not call, we will not cry. I will remind you of your strength and how you got my eyes - You will not cry.
And if you do- To my daughter I will say: It is time for a new beginning, for the bottles are empty and the cigarettes are finished and your boy is gone.
Only then will I realise that what my mother should have said to me- My daughter: Do not make the same mistakes I did. See your beauty without his compliments and your worth while watching him leave- or this will be our cycle.





















