i detest how she
belittles her freckles
when i see them as a galaxy
and i want to count every star
and watch every wish i make come true
as she laughs and calls me cute
because i lost count
when i looked up into her eyes
although i really just got lost

The words leave your lips
day after day
and i thank you
i honestly do.
But do you care about the galaxies
i store inside of this oh so
"****" body?
do you care
about my
hopes
dreams
ambitions
my emotions
inside my "pretty" little head?
because when you decided
to lower me
by counting how many boys
or girls
thought i was pretty
i screamed "stop"
and "you're making me uncomfortable"
you lashed out
and yelled
replying "what"
the word hitting me
straight in my chest
my oh so beautiful collar bones
and my "perfect" cleavage
and cracking something within me
and it took everything in me
not to explode into a million pieces.
Yes they think Im pretty
Yes they want to **** me
Yes i take it as a compliment
but is that * all i'm ******** worth

Gears turn
The unnoticeable increments
Cogs meshing with cogs
Under the surface
Unseen
But felt
For too long

Fingertips
Run across the length
The fibers seem to rise to meet
The nerve endings that send the message
To my brain
These words were meant to remain hidden
Within the folds
College ruled bars
Keep the words in
Safe within the creases

I write love letters
to the oxygen in your lungs
and give thanks
to the trees who allow you to breathe

what a blessing it is
to exist alongside you.

-hw