A Letter To You, a Letter To Me

What if I could talk to you, if you were more than a memory? What if I could lead your path, instead of the fate that led mine? Would you know me as truth, or think me a wild dream? Would you see yourself in me at all, or not recognize the man before you? I received a letter the other day, from you, from me - a slice of time. Words planned and sent forward, in advice, in earnest plea. I would love to be able to answer, to write back and say that you're okay; but more so, to go back even further, and say these words to the boy left behind. 'I beg you, do not follow the path that's laid so clearly before you. Don't make up your mind so quickly, for your sake, take a step back. 'I would stop you if I could, but I think we both know better. Just hear me, and what you'll live with, should you choose to stay your course. 'You will bloody your knuckles so many times, on doors, walls, concrete, anything; not healthy, but recourse nonetheless when your hate bubbles and spits like a pool of lava. 'Your spirit consumption will worry your friends, and you'll message your father "save me"; you will fall many times, stumble and wonder if this one is your last - keep thinking "not yet".' Hearing such, would you dismiss me, as easily as you did the rest? Would you wave off my words, like smoke clouding your breath? Or would you perchance heed them, as only you have ever changed your mind? Would you take the easier, smarter road, and let mine simply fade away? Would that I could, would that I may, write a letter to you, as you did for me; only reversing the way of the days.