Label

What if we all wore our secrets like badges on our shirts?
What if we wrote them on our foreheads,
Screamed them on the streets?
What if we could just talk about them,
Without fearing judgment or that they would change everything?
What if... what if... what if my past didn't matter?
If people cared, but it didn't change anything.
If people actually empathized, but didn't let it fester.
Why can't I tell everyone what my story is?
Why is this part of me so huge, and so hugely judged?
This is a huge part of me.
For goodness sakes, it's my story, my song.
I want to sing it, write it, read it, tell it.
Of course I know I need to keep something close to my heart.
I know this should be it.
But this is such a huge, huge, huge part of me.
What if we could just wear them like name tags.
"Hello, my name is R, and I have PTSD."
"Hello, my name is ___ and I'm depressed."
"Hello, my name is ___ and I beat depression."
I am more than who I am now. I am less than that if you make me less.
I am me, and entirely myself, and I don't like hiding it.
I will share my story, for now, with those who need it.
With those people who can help me.
With those who I know won't let it change anything.

But if I could wear it as a label...