I should draw my parachute
Hurdling towards the ground
Falling in reckless abandon
My hands trembling
I should draw my parachute
The sky is screaming in my ears
Letting go has never felt so safe
Losing grip, giving in to you
I should draw my parachute*
My body is weightless
Tumbling effortlessly, colliding
Surrendering control
*I should draw my parachute

Skin
four inches
make all the difference
if inches add
just
   above
     my calf
give me those
four inches
to cut my waist by half

Perhaps I’m a rose

snipped short at my stem
my window to    be      beautiful
is
quickly
closing
in
time away creeps
teasing from the mirror
all importance is skin deep
imperfection drawing nearer

The lace is sandpaper on the back of my neck.
I scratch furiously until blood pools underneath my fingertips.
A zipper digs into the small of by back, ripping at my skin with every breath I take.
Just breathe
Inhale; exhale
the zipper is tearing at my flesh. I can’t breathe.
It feels like the zipper is going to reach through my back and tear my heart out.
She needs a little more blush  
I wonder how I could possibly need more of anything.
My face played canvas all morning, sculpted, painted, bettered.
My mom bends down to reach me at eye level.  
*This is the most important day of your life

I feel your hand wrapped around my Heart
Your grip tightens as you hurl daggers from your tongue
The relief is palpable as the words slip from your lips
Rage is an eclipse over my eyes, I see nothing
My Heart pounds harder in the palm of your hand
Thoughts drift to images of surrender
Your fingers uncurl, and my Heart beats
I can't feel your hand wrapped around my Heart anymore
Void is the space you left in my chest
I grip my own heart tightly, and I pretend