Time Travel

If I could go back in time, rewind the clock
And see myself at thirteen
I'd see a foolish child that will do anything
To feel loved by a man

If I could talk to myself, the younger Brenda
I'd say, "You're most beautiful when you don't try
The day you look in the mirror and hate
Yourself is the day when you're loved the most.

"Your friends at this point will hinder your journey
At every peak of your mountains of success
They'll be there with shovels and saws and drills
Trying to slowly, subtly, wear you down.

"During your travels through the valleys of sorrow
Look at the jungles surrounding you
Admire the beauty within your pain
And sing the cougars to a tranquil sleep.

"On your climb to the top of understanding yourself
You'll encounter monster after monster
And each of them will inflict scars
But you will win the war, although lose many battles./

"You will face your biggest fear and
Be forced to kill it or let it kill you
You'll discover things about life, love, and pain
That you'll never be able to forget.

"But when you learn how to be a modern-day Hector
Being wise about battles and different strategies
You'll gain a new understanding toward
Your enemies and see the deception of your friends.

"You'll reject the God you once thought you knew
The hateful deity that considered you trash
You will fear God out of self-preservatiuon
Building walls of Jericho around yourself.

"You will gamble with Lucifer, the Father of Lies
Dancing on the edge of his fiery home, teasing his demons
Flirting with death, disease, and destruction
You'll almost lose your soul to Hell.

"But the people you'll meet during the next few years
Will be the anchor you will cling to
The encouragement and support they'll give
Will be the foundation of your recovery.

"So trust their opinions and believe in their love
You'll need both in the long run."
I'd look my younger self in the eye
And then turn and walk away.