All I ever wanted was
a plain old hug,
somebody just to hold me
& whisper everything
was going to be alright.

There's no doubt darling,
I can handle myself,
I can rumble
with the roughest
& I've got the fuckng scars
to prove it.

****** sugar,
this bravado
I wear
is a mask,
but I think you should know,
tough guys need love too
& I won't ***** you
over like
those sweet-talking
pansies.

Beyond the walls that hold you in
Touch of crimson hue and stained with ink.
Write your story with your blood within,
Take a blade, and let the tale begin.

Down the lane, memories pretend,
Casting shadows, the mind cannot lend.
Let the lies be one with your self succinct,
Dreaming was always your dearest sin.

And as you take each step towards the door,
Rising fear, draws you back into recluse.
Stories, countless, but no courage to share,
A plea to take you back to the better days.

Let the pages be filled with pain and misery
Write it out now, let the ink run out with your story.
And with the last page, let the suffering be quenched
Step outside into the sun, let a new life begin.

I talked to you
about all the mixed up stuff
kept away in my
head

You were understanding
and helpful
and it was great
And I felt
much better than usual

You helped me so much
when I thought you would
get mad

But you didn't

And I'm so thankful
for everything you do

-e.w.

cracked nails with peeling hands
ugly dancers' feet
endless hours of stretching, leaping, bowing, and creating straight lines with no mistakes
you destroy me but, I love every moment of it