Dr. Ivan Edwards Poet Free verse

Before I Leave You, Dear 20s

First letter to myself - The 20s, the loud decade of chasing titles, performing through burnout, and learning to honor silence 

Dear 20s,
Now I am 29 . . . about to leave you.

At 20, I couldn’t wait to be 21.
Adult at last.
But adulthood came with responsibility . . . 
and a hunger I couldn’t name.

My first date taught me
I had someone else to think about:
awkward, beautiful, unsure.

I spent time on my looks,
only to realize what mattered
was the pearl in the shell.

My first paycheck felt like freedom.
I spent it all
trying to prove I was grown.
Later, savings introduced herself to me.

I thought I knew more than Dad.
More than Mom.
After all, they were ancient.
But now I know . . .
wisdom doesn’t shout.
It waits.
It doesn’t flaunt itself.

I wanted more, and more…
but didn’t know what “more” meant.
So . . . I chased titles, applause,
and faces that faded by morning.

I thought ambition would fill the silence.
But silence was asking me
to slow down and listen.

By 25, I met burnout . . .
an identity crisis dressed as drive.
I was exhausted,
but still performing.
More isn’t always louder.

At 27, I broke quietly.
I called it growth.
But healing doesn’t happen loudly.
It whispers . . .
through reflection,
through the courage to stop pretending.

You don’t owe anyone your breakdown.

And now, at 29,
I’m learning to honor the silence
that once scared me.


(Published - Medium, The Healing Convergence Publication)

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