Solange Knowles has written a beautiful letter to her 17-year-old self for Teen Vogue’s music issue.

Written in the form of a poem, the letter serves as her cover story, and touches upon the experiences that shaped her teenage years, from losing a good friend to giving birth.

“there will be pain, there will be doubt, there will be beauty, there will be the unknown. there will be so many moments of joy and delight that the whole universe will feel painted in hues of amber and wonder. there will be times you are so sad you can’t lift your head. and there will be times you are so happy that the sensation of life knocks you down. but most importantly, there will be you. a whole, whole lot of it. and you will feel good about who she is and who she is still becoming.”

Read Solange’s poem in full in her Teen Vogue story, which hits newsstands on May 23.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUMgMi1BaJz/?taken-by=saintrecords