You Led Me. by Megumi Jindo (15, New York)

Is being an insurgent 
not allowed in my own home?
Who are you to tell 

me how I should be? 
It's been 16 years since you
told me how to be. ​

---

Now, you're gone. My last
memory was that, with you.
Still reverberating in me. 

Me, being ignorant to 
what you wanted. Now I know.
It was for my own 

good. You were so right. Now,
you're not here and I'm left with
this guilt, regret, sadness. 

I never got to say 
“I love you” or to tell you
all my happiness 

was because of your kind, 
abnegation heart. I never was
able to say “thank you.” 

I've learned. 

So many words left unsaid. 

I’ve finally learned that 
life is not to be wasted. 
You've made me see the
true reason to why we 
know that we will die at some
point; so we can cherish 

this one life, these memories
we build. The lessons history
has taught us. So 
that one day I can learn as well.
​Live the life they have
Built for me. Now I 

know. Now I see. Now 
I will live with that in mind. 

I hope you read this.