I was once told
A girl like me
Cannot hope to succeed.

I was once told
A depressed girl
Never finds love in the world.

I was once told
A dream to travel
Will make me unravel.

I was once told
A child's every thought
Should always be taught.

But

My mother once told me
A girl like me
Will often succeed.

My mother once told me
A depressed girl
Can find love in the world.

My mother once told me
A dream to travel
Makes nightmares unravel.

My mother once told me
A childs every thought
Should be their own; never taught.

-ARI

I fought with every
Breath raging through
My bruised chest.

Fingernails hanging
By thread like
Pieces of skin.

Blood and dirt
Creating a solid
Form of desperation.

The weight of the
World sleeping on
My weeping form.

My casket made
Of warm flesh
And a smiling face.

Hundreds passed
But never heard
The girl screaming inside.

-ARI