The Art of Being Empty

emptying out of my mothers belly was
my very first act of disappearance
learning to shrink for a family who
likes their daughters invisible
was the second
the art of being empty is simple
believe them when they say
you are nothing
repeat it to yourself
like a wish
i am nothing
i am nothing
i am nothing so often
the only reason you
know you’re still alive is
from the heaving
of your chest

– Rupi Kaur