What A Friend Said Poem by Adaobi Chiemelu

hello,
a friend said to face your fears
but what if you've lost your face
what if all you have left are a few strands of hair sticking out your guts
and you feel stranded and alone
but there's not much of a face left

a friend said to mind your speech
but what ifyou've lost your mind
what if all you have left are a few streaks of veins poking through your temples
and you feel all was in vain
but there's not much of a mind left

what if all they ever said only lived for a time
and in your time the wise choice would be to find your own words