The boy was too brooding.
I think he did it to impress me
and to make me think he was mysterious
but all it did was leave me empty.

The boy was too handsome.
He was the type of guy who could roll
right out of bed and look perfectly perfect
and it infuriated me.

The boy was too athletic.
His muscles never failed to show
themselves from underneath his tops
and it made me self-conscious.

The boy was too quiet.
He wanted to prove that he'd listen to
what I had to say so he'd stare right at me silently
with eyes that pierced my soul like a knife.

At first glance, he was flawless.
He had the qualities I always thought I wanted:
Mysterious, Perfect, Muscles, Listening Skills.
Really, I just wanted someone like the actors on TV.
But that's just what they are: actors.

She ran her fingers
across her bookshelf,
allowing the dust
to coat her nails.
The sound of shuffling pages
filled the room,
creating music,
to which she couldn't help
but dance.

Dear little girl with stardust in her eyes,
never stop dreaming.
Dear tired mommy with wrinkles of stress,
never stop caring.
Dear over-worked daddy with alcohol breath,
never stop trying.
Dear little baby giggling and so blessed,
never stop smiling.

For each day it gets harder,
each second gets tougher,
but if you just hold on,
I promise you'll get stronger.

I don't know who she is,
but I can make
believe the truth.

She’s a princess
Of an island
Somewhere right outside Peru.

She’s the daughter
Of a grand king
And a lovely queen too.

I imagine
A long line
Of men who’d want to pursue

The fair maiden
the heiress
Of a throne she’ll soon assume.

She’ll rule with power and grace,
A smile on her face,
Kindness in her heart,
She’ll give the kingdom a new start.

Though some may doubt,
I know that's who she'll be.
Even if she's not,
She'll always be a princess to me.

Art is just art unless you start feeling.
Words are just words unless you give them some meaning.
Love is just love unless you do actions.
Hate is just hate unless you give it some traction.

But if a bird can sing
to the tune of the rain,
then surely I can learn
to overcome the pain.

I had never seen so much blood.
Just blood, blood, blood.
It was so red and so dark
and so pure that I feared
one simple touch from my unclean
hands would contaminate it.

I had never seen so much blood.
Just blood, blood, blood.
It was the richest thing I had
ever seen and if I could've
I would've ****** it up
and kept in a locket.

I had never seen so much blood.
Just blood, blood, blood.
It ran from your bald head
out onto the cement floor
and I cried over your body
laying there cold and dead.

I had never seen so much blood.
Just blood, blood, blood.
I cried over you while I
watched you die but my
tears were not from your loss
of life but from the fact that I was
not the one to cause it.

He was kind–
Just like you.
When you looked into his eyes
You just knew.
He always put others
Above himself.
Lots of things about him
Are just like yourself.
He was good–
I wouldn’t kid.
He would’ve died for his crew,
And he did.
You remind me of him;
You’re both kind-hearted men.
When I look in your eyes
It’s like he’s looking back into mine.
I’m reminded of him
Every time you say a word.
You sound just like him–
Every adjective and verb.
Yes, you remind me of him.
That’s the best compliment I could give.
Captain, you remind me of my Captain.

Everyday I watched Daisy dance in the park.
She was a girl of eight years old.
She always looked so carefree and
without a single problem in the world.

I came to watch her dance each day,
because I envied her beautiful innocence.
She twirled and leaped and curtisied and tip toed
across the playground without a hint of wickedness.

I watched her and thought of the work I had to do,
but Daisy had an abundance of free time.
I knew I was much too busy to be watching her,
but I loved the reminder of my long lost prime.

She was the ideal of who I aspired to be.
A girl who can dance with all of her soul
and not worry about anyone that may be watching.
A girl who knows the simple things make us whole.

I feared for my little Daisy.
I was afraid of the day she'd start to comprehend
that this life isn't one giant beautiful ballet.
When that day comes, her dancing will violently end.

I feared for myself as well.
What will happen to me when her dancing is done?
Who will I watch and admire each day?
The restless sinful flesh will have won.

Depression is going outside
and seeing the sun shining brightly
but still only feeling rain.

Depression is standing in a room
with bullets flying in every direction
and being without a shield.

Depression is wearing a muzzle
blocking you from thinking you're
good enough to speak and ask for help.

You seem to have forgotten
about all the times we shared.
It seems it slipped your mind
that we're better as a pair.

You seem to not remember
all those beautiful restless days.
It seems your memory escapes you
and our love was just a phase.

Did you lose your memory?
Or was it purposely erased?
Is there a way I can restore it?
Or has our love been just a waste?

God, I need your direction.
I have never in my life
been as confused as I am
right now this current second.

Lord, You know my heart.
You know my intentions are pure.
Why can't I hear you?
Why aren't you showing me?

Jesus, I want to do what's right.
Show me where to go.
Lead me in the way
your plan says I should.

Holy Spirit, be my guide.
This what I pray.
Take my very hand in yours
and lead me along the way.

I can't imagine all the
pain you must've felt
as they beat you with the whip.

I can't imagine all the
torture you went through
as they nailed your hands and feet.

I can't imagine what an
eternity spent with you in
Heaven is like but I know
that because of the pain and torture
you willingly endured
I get to spend forever with you.

The gun shots are heard
one two three four
at first until people realize
what is happening
and start to run
while toppling over themselves
as they try to find a safe spot
but the gun shots keep coming
five six seven eight shots
and the space is
too wide
too open
too empty
only full of bodies running
or bodies already down
nine ten eleven twelve shots
the music from the stage stops
and the festival is turned upside down
and vision blurs
senses dissipate
except for one
the sense of hearing
thirteen fourteen fifteen sixteen shots
ring
buzzing
blaring
in the ears
of those watering the grass with their blood
and those still trying to find a way
to avoid being shot
seventeen eighteen nineteen twenty shots
accompanied by screams
loud screeching screams
that will haunt the survivors in their dreams
and in their time awake
but yet still the overwhelming
amount of screams cannot overpower
the sound of bullets
cutting through the air
and piercing into flesh
twenty-one twenty-two twenty-three twenty-four shots
there is nowhere to go
there is nowhere to run
just massive amounts of people
all huddled in one large chaotic group
enjoying music one minute
and knocking people over
to get as far away
from the shooter the next
through the tripping
and the running
and the panting
and the screaming
are the arrival of two colors
red and blue red and blue red and blue
and sirens sirens sirens
twenty-five twenty-six twenty-seven twenty-eight shots
and then none

darkness is my friend
for he'll always hold me tight
and he never gives up
on me after a hard night.

darkness is my friend
after a long stressful day
and i'm tired of being tired
and I have nothing to say.

darkness is my friend
and together we dance
for he'll hold my hand
and put me in a trance.

darkness is my friend
when no one else cares
and all I can see are the streaks
of mascara from my tears.

darkness is my friend
when I'm alone in my room
and my thoughts just keep coming
whispering "it could be over soon"

darkness is my friend
and I feel so alone
anytime I'm without him
for he's all I've ever known.

darkness is my friend
he isn't any stranger
but he ***** the life out of me
and puts me in danger.

darkness is my friend
because there is nobody else
all I have is him
and then I have myself.

From the time I was a little girl,
I feared love.
I had seen my parents fight
and I thought to myself that
no man was worth it.
No man was worth being
slammed to the ground.

As I grew older,
boys tried to pursue me
and I put up my guard,
thinking that if love is
having bruises all over your body,
then I do not want it–
not even a little bit.

However, when you came around
you showed me something new.
Not every man is my daddy.
In fact, you are the man that my
daddy wishes he could be.
All my dad wanted was to show love,
but he never knew how.  

You radiate the sun
and make me feel loved.
You make me feel beautiful
and special and happy.
You are the reason I love
love and I do not fear it.
I crave it.

She was the type of a girl
that all boys fell for.
She had a deceptive charm
that made the hearts soar.
Something about her made
everyone look twice.
How could someone be so perfect?
"Well," she said, "it's all in the roll of the dice."

I don’t know you.
You don't know me.
One talk isn't enough
to believe in destiny.

I don't know you.
You don't know me.
Your love isn’t a locked door
and I haven't been searching for a key.

I don't know you.
You don't know me.
Something about it doesn't sound right
Why can’t I let it be?

I don't know you.
You don't know me.
I’m not a bird in a cage,
Waiting for you to set it free.

I don’t know you.
You don’t know me.
Then why can’t I give it up?
I want to; it is my plea.

I don’t know you.
You don’t me.
I wish this desire I have for you
Would just go away and flee.

I want to know you
Do you want to know me?
Could it be just lust or...?
Perhaps it's love? Maybe? Hopefully.

If love is what fixes every deepened wound
then why am I hurting?
If love is the answer to every problem
then why am I questioning?

If love is the sunshine on a dark day
then why am I feeling cold?
If love is a miracle potion that keeps you young
then why am I feeling old?

If love is what makes the world go round
then why am I stuck standing still?
If love is the band aid that protects all of your cuts
then why am I not yet healed?

If love is the only thing that is true
then why do I doubt?
If love demands you to be faithful
then why do I want to bail out?

If love is what you claim to be giving
then why am I always crying?
If love is what you say you're doing
then why inside am I dying?

If love is when you hold my throat
then why do they say I should want it?
If love is when you call me names
then why do they say I should like it?

If love is the night you pinned me to the ground
then why is everyone searching for it?
If love is the way you slammed me against the wall
then why is it crushing my spirits?

If love is the thing I'm receiving from you
then why am I always bruised?
If this is love, I do not want it.
Love is sacred, and not abuse.

If she was a symphony,
He was the tune.

If she was a sickness,
He was immune.

If she was a riddle,
He was the answer.

If she was a song,
He was the dancer.

If she was the moon,
He was outer space.

If she was a broken heart,
He put each part back in place.

If tomorrow was my last
I'd do nothing.
I wouldn't skydive
I wouldn't travel
I wouldn't do everything
I've ever wanted to do.

If tomorrow was my last
I'd do as always.
I'd get up
I'd read my bible
I'd go to school
and have an average day.

If tomorrow was my last
I'd act as normal.
I'd smile to others
I'd say "hello"
I'd do my best
as I try every day.

If tomorrow was my last
I'd tell no one.
I wouldn't shout it
I wouldn't scream it
I wouldn't sing it
from every single rooftop.

If tomorrow was my last
I'd never know it.
That's why my usual
day to day consists
of all things I love
the very most.

If tomorrow were my very last
what I do today would be enough.
It would make me smile
It would make me laugh
It would make me happy
Because I have learned always
to be content in the ordinary.

I've taken the leap
I've tackled the climb
I've asked you the question
do you want to stay by my side?

Do I give up on love altogether
Or do I hope that It makes us both better?
Are we better together or better apart?
Does it really even matter after a broken heart?

Do I pretend none of it even happened
After all that I’ve taken for granted?
Like the food on my table and the roof over my head.
I’m not the one starving, and I’m not the one dead.

Do I act as if everything’s fine?
Though everyone can see through those lies.
I can try to fake a smile and seem alright
If it’ll help you be the one to sleep at night.

Do I move on and find another
Or stay alone, hoping things will get better?
Are we better together or better apart?
Does it really even matter after a broken heart?

I remember when I could sing
unafraid of how I sound.
I remember when I could fly
unafraid of the hard ground.

I remember when I could walk
unafraid of where'd I go.
I remember when I could speak up
unafraid of the word "no."

I remember when I could dream
unafraid of the real truth.
I remember when I was a little girl
filled with innocent youth.

I remember sixth grade.
Everyone told me you couldn't fall
in love so young. So I distanced myself from you.

I remember seventh grade.
You begged me to come back,
but I told you all the words they told me were true.

I remember eighth grade.
I never saw you even once but couldn't
stop thinking about all the things we used to do.

I remember ninth grade.
I saw you every single day but,
by then, you were with someone brand new.

I remember tenth grade.
You were still with her happily
and I cried. It was all my fault, I knew.

I remember eleventh grade.
You were single and I had high hopes
that once again it'd be me and you.

I remember twelfth grade.
You had graduated the year before
so I saw exactly zero of you.

I remember yesterday.
I ran into you at the store and thought
'this is my chance' until I noticed a girl that was new.

it sneaks up when you least need it to.
it blocks your every thought and causes stress.
it makes you forget all you ever knew.
it feels so right yet you know the truth.
it will only cause pain in the end.
it takes away the life you had dreamt.
all those past due assignments you must now amend
because procrastination has become your friend.

Seems now I’m just another girl to you,
And in the end, that’s all I ever was.
You won’t be satisfied with one or two.
One girl for you will never be enough.

I spent too many hours daydreaming
Up scenarios that will never come true.
I was loving the idea of love
Far more than I could ever love you.  

I’m not hurt that you asked for her number
I’m not hurt that you didn’t say hello.
I hurt for the girl because It is no longer I
that has to put up with you, but her.

I want to touch you–
just one innocent touch,
dripping with desire
and coated with love.

I want to touch you–
my lips onto yours,
glazed with a passion
that can't be unhooked.

I want to touch you–
just my hand in yours,
enveloped so softly
we forget we've been hurt.

I wish that you wouldn't smile
for every time you do
my fragile heart skips a beat
and I start feeling blue.

I wish that you wouldn't laugh
it makes me like you more
every one little giggle
is something I adore.

I wish that you wouldn't speak
at least not right to me
it makes me have butterflies
my heart screams "Let me be!"

I wish that you wouldn't look
straight at me like you do
as if you're searching my soul
and making me want you.

But though I wish all these things
I hope it won't come true
I don't want you to stop the
things that make me like you.

If my heart could beat
up to a thousand beats per second
it would still only ever beat
that fast for you.

If my mouth could sing
as good as Whitney Houston
it would still only ever sing
love songs to you.

If my arms could stretch
from New York to China
they would still only ever wrap
tight around you.

Justice is a Lady
standing confident and tall.
Justice is a Lady
breaking down all the walls.

Justice is a friend
staying honest and true.
Justice is a friend
showing you just what to do.

Justice is an enemy
catching you in all your lies.
Justice is an enemy
loosening up your closed ties.

Justice is a rebel
being nice to very few.
Justice is a rebel
and she don't like me and you.

I am but a grain of sand
amongst all of your other loves.
Still, I run to you with open arms,
for it is you my soul loves.

Why do I come back
Knowing what I know?
No matter the knowledge,
my heart seeks for you so.

When will I wake up
from this dream I'm dreaming?
I will never be enough
to satisfy your cravings.

Someday, I know, I'll move on
and the sun will smile at me.
For now, my heart can't rest.
It begs "let me be."

The life of a Youtuber
new and just trying
hardly any subscribers
and barely surviving

She pulls out her camera
and then everyone stares
she's vlogging publically
and suddenly everyone cares

had she have no camera
she'd be just a normal girl
no one would even look her way
and judge her like an ungodly pearl

yet she still talks to the screen
for they are her only friends
the 19 subscribers
she talks to without end

she smiles as she watches
her view count go up to 40
and dreams of the day
it'll turn into 60

She posts and posts
but what no one really sees
is the girl behind the camera
in real life, she'd freeze

she's now in the store
and talking to her screen
people look at her like she's crazy
and she wishes she couldn't be seen

But someday she'll earn
ten millions of subscribers
and those very same people
will love her with each one of their fibers

So she just keeps on going
hoping and wishing
that someday she'll make it
so she just keeps on keeping.

At first, I wasn’t interested.
It wasn’t a love at first sight kind of deal.
The moment he started talking, however,
I felt something real.

Hard to believe, I know–
Especially in a world of desire and lust.
What is real and what is fake?
Will someday these feelings turn to dust?

He asked me for my number.
Despite my better judgment, I said yes.
I was too caught up in my feelings.
I couldn’t make my heart beat rest.

Full of butterflies my stomach was
As we said our last goodbye.
Butterflies don’t always tell the truth, though.
Unfortunately, sometimes they lie.

To listen to your heart or head–
That is the ultimate test!
For sometimes you’re right and sometimes you’re wrong,
it‘s hard to tell what’s best.

Do I take it one step at a time
Hoping his feelings haven’t changed?
I never texted him back that day.
What if he’s hurt from the words never exchanged?

Then there’s another problem
Oh, yes, the other boy.
The one who won’t move on,
Claiming I’m his only joy.

If I were to find someone else
Would I destroy his entire life?
If I choose to not hurt him and stay alone
Then would my own be full of strife?

Too many questions and too many answers
Makes me fear my heart is wrong
Listen to your head, I beg.
It’s hard, for my heart is strong.

Give it up, for it’s what’s best.
We both know It’s true.
My heart and my head now both agree.
It’s what I have to do.

I have made up my mind.
The boy has got to go.
Anyhow, we’ve only had one chat.
I need to tell him no.

There he goes now smiling at me.
I wish he would stop.
“Hi,” He says…
Well, here we go. I’m back up to the top.

I was walking down the street the other day
and I swear I saw you walk past me.
Now, of course, you don't even know me, and,
well, to be honest, I don't really know you too.
But you believe in love at first sight, right? Well, don't you?

I bet you don't. You seemed too sophisticated for that.
I could tell by the way you walked on by
and the way you talked on your cell phone like you
had authority or like someone was waiting for you in strife
on the other side– I know I've waited for you my whole life.

When you walked on past, did you notice me?
Probably not, but that's okay. I'm not the type that turns heads.
I'm only the type that turns them away.
But, if you are who I think you are– my perfect Mr. Right–
then someday you will walk past me again. You just might.

On that day, I'll be ready. I promise you I will be.
I'll take you into my loving arms and kiss you softly.
Well, won't you like that? You must, for if you're my Mr. Right
then I'm your Mrs. Right. Unless you weren't sent from above
and even you– the perfect one– becomes an act of unrequited love.

I'm ready to surrender
and let you captain the boat.
I'm tired of all the struggles
and barely staying afloat.

I've learned through all my trials
that you know what is best.
I give you all my worries
and now I'll finally rest.

Here it is; just take it.
My whole life is now yours.
I've battled for so long now
and I know you have the cure.

My every breath belongs to you
and I give you every stride.
There's only one thing that I ask:
that you will be my guide.

Time and I like to race,
And the both of us won’t give in.
We wish to claim first place;
We both deny what’s not a win.

With my eye on the prize,
I try to beat my nemesis.
For it’s time I despise,
It is a thief with arrogance.

And for the longest time,
My rival was in the craved lead.
I now forbid his crime;
I have stolen his spot, indeed.

“How I do this?” you ask.
Well, it is the most simple thing.
Within each day I bask,
And in each small moment, I sing.

I don’t say “Next week I…”
And I don’t mention what has past.
I live for the day, though,
attempting just to make it last.

One day I will have won,
And I will claim my spot: first place.
I am who made time run,
All because I slowed down my pace.

How can we breathe
in a society that
is constantly squeezing
our throats?

How can we walk
in a world that
is constantly chaining
our legs?

How can we be
in a place that
is constantly telling
us no?

"No," it says,
"That job isn't
enough for you to
survive."

"No," it says,
"Those clothes aren't
enough for you to
win him."

"No," it says,
"That thing isn't
enough for you to
impress."

"No," it says,
"You are not ever
enough to amount to
anything."

Well, I think it's time
we say "No" back.

She had eyes like coals
dark and hard
large but charred

She had a smile like pearls
nice and white
small but bright

She had a heart of gold
strong like oak
huge but broke

They say I'm crazy
and I know it's true.
But I know by waiting
I'm saving myself for you.

She is his sunshine when it's raining
She is the warmth when he is freezing
She is the tune that he is singing
She is the music he is dancing
She is the love that he is giving
She is the smile that he's wearing
She is the reason that he's living

but she's also why he's slowly dying.

She was like music,
and I longed to dance.

Her heart was the beat,
and I begged for the chance.

Her words were the vocals,
and I was put in a trance.

Her smile was the melody,
and I fell in love at first glance.

He talks in riddles
And walks with pride.
His words are encrypted
And so are his eyes.

He's hard to read
And even harder to please.
His life is a movie
And he plays the tease.

He sings in metaphors
And plays the guitar.
He's a normal boy
But he acts like a star.

And though I try my best
it all stays the same
I ignore my brain
when it says he plays games.

They say you'll know
when you feel the butterflies
take over your stomach
and you can't think.

They say you'll know
when you grab their hand
and you feel sparks
ignite in every direction.

They say you'll know
when your mind clouds
so much that you feel dizzy
and you have to take a rest.

But the day I knew
I didn't feel
butterflies
sparks
dizziness
In fact,
my mind hadn't been any more clear.

The day I knew
I was sick in bed
and you brought me some
chicken noodle soup.

It was a simple act
that told me you cared
and made me realize
how much I care too.

"You'll be fine," They told me.
"It'll be okay," They said.
But did they hear the words they called me?
Did they hear the things they said?

Have they lived a life of torture?
Perhaps they've felt deranged?
Have they gone and hid in the corner
wanting desperately to change?

The end of the world was today.
It started with a simple delay—
A stop of motion
A miss of beat
A soft "hello"
swept off my feet.

The end of the world was today.
It shifted to a vulnerable display—
A life that's shattered
A ground that's cracked
A heart in pieces
the odds were stacked.

The end of the world was today.
It sparked from a word to say—
Red flashes of light
Sweet kisses and strife
Smiles and screams
At the end of life.

I wish I could fall for you.
I honestly wish I could.
I love everything about you
but I don't think I should.

You see, you have one little problem.
I big one, actually.
You flirt with every single girl
and not just with me.

I love the way you smile
and the way you say 'Hello.'
But many girls do as well.
I'm not the only one I suppose.

You say I brighten your day,
and you promise that it's true.
But how many other girls
have heard the exact same thing from you?

You always are supportive
of every little thing I do.
When the next girl walks on in
you'll be supportive of her too.

Now, it's good to do that.
Supporting people is very kind.
But the way you show your support
is a little out of line.

I want to run to you right now,
but would you quit your other attractions?
If we were to start a relationship
would you continue your flirtatious actions?

How can I be sure
you'll be faithful to only me
when every time I look
there's another girl with you I see?

She walked across the courtyard
and right away he saw her.
He watched her as she walked on by
and he hoped that he could meet her.
He was like a large camera,
zooming in closely on her.
From that very first single moment,
he promised he would win her.

There is a monster
And it's under her bed
Beneath her pillow
Where she rests her head

It has claws like sharp blades
That pierce her skin
It's eyes are dark
And they let no light in

It has a tongue of venom
That licks her ear
And whispers the things
She does not wish to hear

"Your pants are too tight.
Your stomach's too chubby.
Your eyes are too crossed.
You will never have beauty."

It whispers these a lot
For its how it moves to her head
From the small place it's hiding
Beneath her bed.

She believes him completely
Though every word is a lie
She's now tucked in her bed
Where she starts to cry

"Your pants are too tight.
Your stomach's too chubby.
Your eyes are too crossed.
You will never have beauty."

She only heard rumors
And she only heard myths
She never thought the monster
Would be in her midst

"Your pants are too tight.
Your stomach's too chubby.
Your eyes are too crossed.
You will never have beauty."

The kids down at school
Say the monster's not real
But that's just not true
They can't feel what she feels

She's gone off hiding
She's tries to keep it away
She's praying it won't find her
Afraid of the things it might say

"Your pants are too tight.
Your stomach's too chubby.
Your eyes are too crossed.
You will never have beauty."

Now the monster had moved
from the bed to the shelf.
Staring up at it now,
She realizes it's herself.