letters form easily for you
at first glance I only see scribbles of ink
trying to fit between the lines
but then a word falls off the line
"beauty"
written so effortlessly
it looks nothing like the word
that flows from my pen
and now that I can make out each letter
I can't unsee it

get out of your head
your crooked teeth are precious pearls
the height you own will soon fade
color doesn't need to be the same
stop staring at the scale
waiting for numbers to change

keep a firm grasp on your imagination
let your mind paint faces in the trees
listen to voices that get caught in the wind
feel every droplet that kisses your skin
dance in the sun even on a cloudy day  

listen closely to your grandparents
for they will depart soon
dance to the sound he taps on the piano
never skip a chance to let her kiss you
tell them "I love you," mean it always
say "I love you"
before they forget
before it's too late

remember your determination can carry you over oceans
so don't fear the puddles ahead

I fell off the face of the earth into a blinding realization. My body turned to ashes. I felt the pull of voices trying to take me back, but it was too late. I was fire. My mind saw a dark world of metal and smoke. The air was heavy, suffocating me. Every back was turned to me, every door closed. The grass was brittle and lifeless. Soon flames were everywhere. I could not escape. The sky turned into a mirror, reflecting my sunken face. Purple and blues filled the color of my skin. All I needed was a paper and pen, but I was not there for I was only ashes and flame.