Deep breaths
I n  y o u r  n o s e
O u t  y o u r  m o u t h
Count to 10
And over again.
Settle your nerves,
Set up barriers,
And fall into welcoming numbness

i hate working in customer service
because of how many times a day i have to lie
and i hate lying
how are you?
"I'm good"

Chaste kisses
Behind their backs.

A wild attempt
To be alone together.

Grabbing your hand
As we walk out to our safe place.

Finding solace
In each other's company.

A constant reminder:
You are loved. You are strong.

Sad smiles faintly spread
Across tired faces.

And the purest of smiles
Perfectly poised like a dancer

As words shake themselves free
Of our lips and tongues.

Pure happiness
That comes and goes

Like the tide.
I love you

i'm so used to looking down that it hurts to look up

I thought each breath would be his last
As we stared in silent apprehension,
Willing the tears to leave
As his breaths grew more and more shallow
And further and further apart
Until I stroked his mangy coat for one last time
And he released his last strangled breath.
*Is this what it's like to die?

there is one place
where i feel safe.

there is one place
where i can feel comfortable in my own skin.

there is one place
where i can comfortably expose my scars.

there is one place
where i can be myself.

there is one place
where i can feel needed.

there is one place
where i can be free.

there is one place
where i can forget my troubles.

there is one place
where i can finally feel sane.

there is one place
where i can stop feeling so alone.

there is one place
where i can stop feeling numb.

there is one place
where i can feel my sadness melt away.

there is one place,
and one place only.

three words:
*I Love You