That one day I felt hurt so bad I almost cried on the train 3 times. I was listening to the Post Traumatic Album by Mike Shinoda and I felt a few songs waaay too deeply. I thought, “No, not in front of these people. Do it at home.” But when I got home I blinked my eyes and realized I had lost my tears. Not one was present to shed.

There was a feeling in my chest sparked by a song by Mike called “Hold It Together” which is an open letter admitting that he was NOT OK. I knew that the whole song resonated with me, that’s why I wrote the poem “I’m OK”, clearly with the hope of keeping my head up despite everything that wanted to bring it down.

I wrote “I’m OK” as soon as I got home. While I didn’t physically cry, I let myself shed something on the paper in the name of the strength I displayed on the train. Although not one person knew that I was so close to tears, I believe that everyone knows what it’s like to fight back tears just to keep up that strength. 

That’s the reason I write: My ink speaks the words I cannot say. Sometimes it’s just a darkness I refuse to acknowledge and for that I say “I’m OK” and keep on pushing through…