IN SHAME

You are in hate with your past.
In shame
in fear of your former future.
You think that what you had been
was a waste,
a pale whimper,
something better left tossed
on the wastebin of history.

You believe that the you
you once were
ought to be forgotten
– hell, eradicated from memory.
You feel that the current you
is the only version
worth knowing.

You are wrong.
You were valued, then.
You’re great now.
Maybe better than you’ve ever been
but I knew you then,
loved you then
and wish that you appreciated yourselves
as much as you should
or half as much as me
or, like, at all.

Understand:
I like you fine
but
I miss you too.