I am anything you like.
Let me become attached and tailored to you. I'm too kind to say no.
Wear me out and about until I'm worn.
I will leave you in pieces
fluttering around trying to find the whisps of the threads that held me together.
I don't mind.
It's me.
A patch, to hear your life and hold you
Until you can replace me entirely.
I have enjoyed my journey. Thanks.

~A

How
Am I feeling
Uneasy
Cold eyes gazing over a warm
Glowing crowd.
People who can chatter and laugh
Be themselves without thought
And thinking that they hardly fit.
For a night of carefree fun
I must drink
Sipping ease
and warmth into my cold exterior.
Loner
Awkward
Where do I belong?

Do i know myself?

Every expectation
Falling from formation
I need to leave this place soon
My life gives way to more room

Mist in the eyes
My friends sticking by
My side
Lost in the gray
Today I walk away

Smiles are unbearable
Maybe shareable
But nothing is comparable
To my false hope in sadness and
Being recognized for it

I seek an embrace that'll help me face
Each day with grace
Making me found
Bound to light
Breaking out from this night
Of silent pain
As it drains
Away

~A

his bandanna lays tied, near the wall
mixed in with his bed sheets
bound by his hands, so forcefully held
restrained
thrown carelessly upon the bed
mixed with alcohol and sweat from vigorous activity
stuck in a loop, prepared to be reached for
and ****** on once again

every fiber shifting and stretching
to fit him just right
trying to look good,
desirable
casually available
wanting to see him again

what was once used for the party,
and the night that followed,
is lost in the crack between the bed and the wall
the Sunday beams of light
erase the memories of before
and he no longer wishes to see
where the bandanna has gone

Teach me to be a wild child.
One who will dance
with all of her limbs and being,
who cares less if people stare.
One who smiles
without having to remind herself to.

Wild children run free
to the edges of this earth,
daring others to follow.

Hand draw me a map
with all words in a jumble
and only mark the dream destinations
with stars.

Find a bold marker and trace me,
striking and confident
all will then see me.

Add colorwith chalk
to brighten my world,
and please lend me your kaleidoscope
to see it.

Or take my hand in yours,
and tell me i am...

I said in a scared voice that
"I'll be trapped", over and over.
you were there to bring me back,
to peace, to present, just with your
words and embrace.
I felt secure and free to be happy,
free to kiss you and welcome
your touch on my skin.

Home might sound like a warm place,
perhaps I have distorted the picture
of it in my mind,
but it is rough, with sharp corners, and feelings of powerlessness.
The old walls of my house are still strong enough
to contain the yelling voices, disconnected marriage, financial hopelessness, rotten food, Salvation Army clothes, "family time", mental
and emotional struggles that lie within.

Being with you helps me escape home.
I am enjoying our time together
and I appreciate your honesty
and ability to share your stories
hidden at home with me.
Let's take to the road and
move forward from the past,
I don't want it to be an anchor
anymore.