We used to spend hours
driving around looking at houses and
I never understood why you went to
the middle class neighborhoods
with the big homes that all looked the same and
pointed to the ones with
heavy wooden doors and thick brick walls
and all the cars in the garage and
called them your favorite
until I heard your voice crack when you said
they just look so sturdy
and I knew that
your walls were rotting and
falling down and
your foundation was cracked and
your windows were shattered and
the ceiling was starting to
cave in and
you liked the
big homes with
heavy wooden doors and thick brick walls
and all the cars in the garage because
they were
strong
when you
weren't.

Its wild in here

yet so peaceful

your love has made a forest out of me

Most people wouldn't say
that they found love
in a girl with red hair,
green eyes,
incredibly shy,
scared of food,
childish,
loves her music much too loud,
hates herself,
with an addiction to coffee,
cracked but not broken.

Most people wouldn't say
that they found a friend
in the girl with red hair,
even if she was trustworthy
she gives awful advice
has a bad way to approach things
and would prefer music and sleep
over people any day

Most people wouldn't say
that they found this girl interesting
pretty
talented
because she isn't
she's just another girl,
one with red hair and words to say
that no one will listen to,
and no one will confide in
no one will find
she's just going to be alone,
and she's okay with that.

She isn't about to blame them, because she wouldn't either.

I was dancing
With him
I didn't even know him until I was in his arms
Handsome, though I hardly care
Charming, but because of his soul, not his words
And warm, in a way that wasn't physical
He held me like he knew what he was doing
Like I would be safe with him
Like a promise
In the most beautiful white dress
And I was beautiful
The most beautiful girl there
Everyone wanted to dance with him
But he chose me
And I couldn't believe it
We danced all night
And of course
I messed up the steps
Tripping over myself
Clumsily, as usual
But Lord I was beautiful still
And he just smiled and somehow found it lovely, that I was imperfect
He whispered to me
And we danced and danced
And I was beautiful
**Then I woke up

To the girls who are secretly so broken
You WILL be alright
I know you have scars on your soul
Maybe your heart
Possibly your wrists
None of this is your fault
And even if you think it is
Let it go
Not that you can, that easily
But try
I know you are broken
I know you're not okay
Especially when people ask how you are and you answer "I'm fine"
When what you really mean is "I'm alive"
But what do you really care about your own survival anymore
Well I just want you to know
There is beauty in broken glass
And to me
There is immeasurable beauty
In broken girls
So don't you ever forget
You cannot be defined by pain
You're too beautiful for that
Stay strong, broken girl
Nothing is ever really broken

733

The Spirit is the Conscious Ear.
We actually Hear
When We inspect—that’s audible—
That is admitted—Here—

For other Services—as Sound—
There hangs a smaller Ear
Outside the Castle—that Contain—
The other—only—Hear—

Poetry
Is
Wine;
It
Should
Be
Drunk
By
All
As
It
Is
Permitted
In
A­ll
Religions!