Friends, best friends, family, and strangers,
You were all included in my life, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Some of you helped me, some of you left me, and some of you simply dragged me down. I was back-stabbed, played, and fooled, but thank you for waking me up to reality. Some of you enjoyed my downfall, and most of you celebrated as you witnessed me at my worst. What’s more, you can’t deny it because I turned around once in a while to admire all the two-faced people. It’s true what they say: An enemy loves to see you low.
One thing you didn’t know: I like being challenged. I like the rush I feel when I know people are putting me down. I like that dynamism and perseverance I feed myself whenever people spread rumors about me. I love incorrect information spreading so I can slam it down and prove them wrong.
These are all dedicated to you.
The way you all scarred my life and dried up my eyes, thank you for re-creating me. I feel like a child who got kicked off a playground by a group of kids and left to find a better one. And she did, she found a better one. A child who fell and wounded herself but had the strength to get up and help herself because she knew that the pain from the wound is nothing compared to what she had been through. So thank you — thank you for laughing at me, thank you for leaving me behind, thank you for telling people how much of a disappointment I am, thank you for telling people my parents raised me the wrong way, and thank you for making me strong.
I am strong enough to wake up in the morning knowing that there’s a group of people doubting me and shaking their heads, yet I still believe I am strong enough to go on through the day without breaking down. So friends, best friends, family, and strangers, I give my love to you as I write this letter. Seeing you all walk out the door of my life was very unpleasant, as I wanted you all beside me as I strive forward. I wanted you all to see me climb a humongous mountain, see me fall, see me struggle, and, most importantly — see me make it up there.
I’m not greedy, I am not selfish, I’ll share what I have tons or less. Since you’re not here to celebrate my outstanding work as I learned how to accept people’s and mine’s decisions in life, I am dedicating this to you. Cheers for everything that you did — for all the positives and the negatives. I give thanks. Cheers to us!
Odiyl Alfonso is 15 years old and moved from the Philippines to the US a couple years ago. Raw and unapologetic, Alfonso’s impatience comes as no surprise. With quirky expressions and tiny bursts of satire, it’s fair to say she’s impeccable. Her voice demands to be heard and echoed throughout the hearts of generations to come. Alfonso also has a driven passion for New York and dreams of living within the city one day. Eager to move and get on with her life, leaving an everlasting impression. To view some of her works, follow her Wattpad: @ReyesAnne & her Instagram: @pp.poems