#the poem itself reads as if it's being spoken to Rat from Astryn's pov

[wormandzeewriting]

Endure.

I know you're tired. I know it hurts.

The cracked skull, the goggles,

Her missing anchor.

I know. I know the grief will be hard.

Living will be hard. I know this to be true.

But- Hey, no. Look at me.

Wipe your eyes, look at me.

I'm asking you to endure.

I'm asking you to endure the memories,

To endure the aching in your scars.

The pounding in your head,

The ink staining your clothes.

I'm asking you to be strong, for me.

For her memory. Just her memory.

Look at me. Please, look at me.

Wipe your eyes.

It will be hard without her.

I know, I know. It will be hard to go on.

It will be hard to find purpose.

But we have to.

And- No, look at me. Please.

Believe me, I know. I know you're a monster.

But that doesn't change anything now.

We just need to keep going.

Wipe your eyes. Take my hand.

I'm not asking you to be strong.

I'm asking you to keep living.

Keep remembering, keep growing.

Keep enduring.

It hurts like nothing before, I know.

Stand with me. Walk. Breath, slowly.

Come inside. We have much to do.