Put away your glass eye, and you'll see just how delicate you truly are. Your mind may be sharp, but please, don't gaze
upon my chest and leave me with another scar.
Allow me to demonstrate the foolishness of being madly
in love, when you constantly say, "you run miles on my mind,"
but truthfully I need you to first find that path.

As we compare ourselves to the past, time refuses to wait
for us. We can't spend too much time second-guessing,
as everything comes to pass, and even when I feel irritable,
it all falls so short in my very face.
But hey, life is too tall, and I can't afford to fall so quickly from grace. Still, even when I express my gratitude, it seems to
be the only most answered prayer. Still I pray to protect you from the preying eyes of the world, like the many wolves lurking in the shadows. Every man has an instinct to hunt, but I could never sense their intentions with my own cold nose.

Some days, I yearn to touch your skin as gently as I touch
the sky, always hopeful for tomorrow.
I want to witness every petal of tears that fall from your eyes, reminding me that you are my precious flower. I must protect and guard, while leading with the energy of a man who is still learning, but also in charge.

Yet, life as I know it feels like a stubborn plug in the wall, refusing to give in even when I'm on the verge of burning out. Unlike an angry dog, I may drool, but it's not a pretty sight
at all. Beautiful thoughts only seem to exist in the corners of darkness. Perhaps a single kiss from you will ignite a spark of love, even if it only comes in fleeting sparkles.

Bur don't indulge in my darkness, for the void is filled with nothingness that will make you starve.
But let me gather the courage to say, "I like you," before
I can muster the strength to call you my love.
But then again, what is love: an awkward word, one that carries a multitude of emotions and sensations that delicately tickle underneath the surface of our skin. It can be a rollercoaster
of feelings, sometimes even getting on our nerves. Picture love
as an unlikely image, framed within the memories of one being so, so afraid to talk to girls.

Imagination, on the other hand, is a powerful faculty of the mind. It is an untamed force that can conjure up vivid and extraordinary scenarios, but it can also be harnessed and controlled by a trained mind. Love, however, is a different story. It is wild, unpredictable, and capable of leading us off track when our feelings can no longer hide.

Love is like a tempestuous storm, capable of stirring our hearts passionately and altering the courses of our lives. It knows no boundaries and can ignite an intense and overpowering flame within us. But playing with your match won't be so wise; playing with fires. Love can make us feel vulnerable and exposed,
as if the mere thought of interacting with the opposite ***
could send us spiraling into a spiral of anxiety and self-doubt.
Pricking at my heart, while I go around picking up another rose.

Still when it comes to true love, I never have enough words...
so perhaps that justifies me to say I'm in love,— being lost
for words. Or course that goes against the laws; if love ever
had them at all.
You could live by forever, but truthfully forever will always
be so far away,— so we'd just have this moment where we stay.
And one day, someday or even a Monday, love won't lack
the passion, and making me feel so mundane. But I'll only
know when I fall in love one day.

When your skin is darker than your past, you'll find
yourself instinctively seeking shade, avoiding the scorching
rays of the sun that seem to tarnish its complexion.
Its once radiant appearance now tinged with the remnants
of the flames, forever leaving a mark.
You may feel that all your imperfections persist, yearning
to be acknowledged and embraced, yet often remaining
unnoticed by the oblivious eyes of the world.
You, my dear, have become a surreal spectacle, captivating
the gaze of many with your unique blend of beauty and vulnerability.

In this collective exchange of glances, you discover
a remarkable unity, a deep connection that transcends
mere superficiality. It is as if each shared look weaves
together the threads of our lives, binding us in a profound
state of matrimony, where understanding and acceptance intertwine.

As we stand together, lost in the enigmatic origins of life,
it becomes apparent that your skin holds a story, an
uninterrupted lineage that stretches back through time.
It is a tapestry of ancestral struggles and triumphs, a testament
to resilience and fortitude. And like the night that envelops
the world, your dusky guardian complexion bears witness
to the strength and beauty that lies within.

But let us not be judged solely by what meets the eye.
Peel back this outer layer, delve deeper into who we truly are,
and you will discover hearts that beat with the same
tenderness, dreams that flourish within the obscure depths of
our souls. Don't let the label of "African child,"
confine us to a predetermined destiny; instead, let it be
a celebration of our heritage, a recognition of the richness
and diversity that flows through our veins.

So, my dear, as we navigate our way through this complex
and ever-changing world, let your skin be a canvas,
not only for the painted white of eyes that might cast
judgments, but for the genuine smiles that radiate from within.
Embrace your darkness, your unique hue, and let it stand
as a testament to the vibrant spirit that resides in the
depths of your being.

Every once in a while, it becomes clear to me
that I've been walking a mile with a horse by my side.  
A symbolic journey, with my pockets filled with Trojans.
Perhaps prepared to protect myself and take risks in
my love life.

At times, I might have felt confident and ready for excitement
a couple of nights before, attempting to shake things up
and still maintain the stability of my love affairs.
A delicate balance, like walking a tightrope between
passion and commitment.

There is a cause for concern underlying my seemingly
carefree facade; pretending to own my emotions and
express them through words, yet I owe so much to truly
convey how I feel.
It leaves me quietly standing with a muted passion, akin
to a jacaranda tree with its purple blossoms. I am trying to
defy time itself, hoping that my thoughts won't easily be
blown away like your hair caught in the wind.

It's not in my nature to capture every moment with a camera, constantly immortalizing you in photographs. There's an underlying insecurity within me, wondering if any of those snapshots would truly capture the essence of our connection. Yet, deep down, I yearn for everything to work out in the end. Even if we may appear to have vacancy eyes, who's to say that we'll see it all working out until the very end?

Perhaps, when I say "I love you," it feels easier when I say it
as if I'm expressing my feelings to a dear friend.
When I profess to "always protect you," it is reminiscent of
how I would watch over a little sister, ensuring their safety
and well-being.
When I claim "I can't live without you," I compare you to my
bed, a place where I find comfort and solace. In this comparison, I acknowledge that if I were to lose you, there would always be another place for me to rest my heart.

Despite my attempts at navigating love and relationships,
I find myself entangled in my own mess. It's a mess that I continue to explore, experimenting with different connections and learning more about myself through my interactions with others, particularly women.

The camera is rolling, incessantly capturing every moment of our lives, leaving us with a world that never stops recording, where privacy becomes a luxury unbeknownst to us. In these private matters, we find ourselves stripped of any semblance of secrecy, exposed to the prying eyes of an ever-watchful audience.

As we gaze upon Mother Earth, we see her through an unsettling lens, viewing her as a captivating entity, akin to a seductive **** who has birthed and nurtured countless lives. Yet, contrasting our admiration, there persists an underlying desire to possess and consume her in a primal, carnal manner. It is as if we hold a fetishistic fascination with her, using fiery words to address her before we even think to disrobe ourselves from the layers of convenience and comfort, leaving her vulnerable and exposed.

This portrayal begs the question of how mankind perceives themselves amidst this intimate performance. Are we mere objects to be stripped down and devoured for the amusement of an unfeeling audience? Stripped of our dignity and possessions, we are left bare, vulnerable, and at the mercy of those who derive pleasure from exploiting our vulnerability. It is akin to a mesmerizing striptease, a tantalizing display that leaves us yearning for something greater.

In the face of such exposure, we find ourselves humbled and powerless, compelled to seek solace and redemption from a higher power. Constantly begging to be bathed in the love and mercy of a divine entity, we yearn for a respite from the unyielding gaze of the world. It appears that the world derives pleasure from witnessing us in a state of vulnerability, reducing us to our weakest form, our knees bent in submission.

In this revelatory expansion of the original sentence, we delve deeper into the implications of a world that ceaselessly records our actions. We explore the complex dynamics between humanity and the environment, finding parallels in our treatment of Mother Earth and our own susceptibility to exploitation. The expanded content retains the core meaning and context, while elaborating on the themes of vulnerability, power dynamics, and the search for solace and redemption.

Life never really gets easier the more you grow, you just grow tougher skin. As you navigate through the various stages and chapters of life, you quickly come to realize that the challenges and obstacles don't disappear; they merely morph and evolve. While we may yearn for a smooth-sailing journey, where each passing year brings more ease and comfort, the truth is that life has a way of throwing unexpected curveballs our way. However, what does change is our ability to adapt and cope with these challenges.

As we grow older, we accumulate a wealth of experiences, both good and bad, that shape our perspective and inner strength. It's as if we develop an invisible armor, a thick layer of resilience that shields us from the impact of life's adversities. We become adept at bouncing back from failures, disappointments, and heartbreaks. We learn to reframe setbacks as opportunities for growth and self-discovery. We develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us, which gives us the strength to face whatever comes our way.

Additionally, growing tougher skin doesn't mean that we become hardened or desensitized to the joys and beauty of life. On the contrary, we appreciate the little moments of happiness and find solace in the simple pleasures. We learn to savor the present and find gratitude in even the smallest things. This ability to find joy amidst the chaos, to see the silver lining in every situation, is a testament to our growth and resilience.

Moreover, growing tougher skin means that we become more comfortable with uncertainty and change. We no longer fear the unknown but instead embrace it as an opportunity for growth. We become flexible and adaptable in the face of unforeseen circumstances, knowing that we have the strength and resilience to navigate whatever life throws at us.

Ultimately, the concept of growing tougher skin is about cultivating inner strength and emotional resilience. It's about developing the skills and mindset necessary to navigate the ups and downs of life with grace and composure. It's realizing that life will always present challenges, but our ability to face them head-on is what truly matters. And as we continue to grow and mature, we become more equipped to handle whatever life has in store for us. So, while life may not necessarily become easier, we can take solace in the fact that we are continuously growing stronger and more resilient with each passing day.

Seasonal changes,
as there must be a summer in your kiss,—
to give me the light to my smile.
And in the course of romanticising, I must
have crashed my ship on your open land.
As the words to say what I want to say, annoyingly
get stuck in my mouth, like something stuck in your teeth.

But as you lick your lips, I hope it doesn't mean
you're trying to get a lick out of me.
At least once; we've all tasted deceit, and I'm praying
that it won't be the very last taste for me.
We both could have lived out our highs of the city life,
but I'm trying to get a little closer to you where you homestead.
Even if it seems rural, I'd make the most of it whenever
you choose to come to my home instead.

But I don't own an address, yet;
—still you can live on my mind.
Even when I don't own a mattress, you can rest on
knowing that there will always be a place by my side.

We'll make casual conversation in every formal setting.
Part ways with our busy days, just to fit each other
in a section of our busy schedules.
And to end it all off with setting our hearts at another
session, as you cross my mind, knowing you're the thought
that waits at the intersection.

And even when the roads seem slippery,
–I'll have my grip on you.
      Henceforth, Seasonal changes.

You try to see everything beautiful in this world,
you've got roses in your eyes,— you're pretty much blind.
Those two pretty eyes, rosey cheeks look like the petals of your blushing love, — I'd like you to be my pretty bride.