I fear the way you love me:
That tender-touching kiss
Seducing me to nightly
Sink deep in your abyss.

Those smooth caresses take me
To places that I dread,
Your cunning fingers rouse me
To plan such lies ahead.

But while we writhe and tumble
In lust's hypnotic hold,
I fear the final stumble
That will see the truth unfold.

Love her crooked teeth.
Love the way her hair smells.
Love her strange taste in fashion.
Love her quirky talents.
Love her the way her nose is formed,
like a cute little button
adorning a teddy bear's
face.
Watch sunlight break upon her face
and admire every crease and wrinkle you see.
Love her when her hair isn't done,
her make-up isn't on,
and she hasn't a care in the world.
Walk with her.
Talk with her.
Get lost in her eyes.
Melt in her glowing radiance.
Listen to her
*****,
whine,
and complain.
Give her a chance,
give yourself a chance.
Give her everything,
expect nothing.
question nothing,
accept everything.
And
most importantly,
love yourself.

The clickety clackety
of my mother's bureau always
started school mornings.
My rumpled clothes lay in a heap
by my feet.
Sweet lemon-water perfume stings
my nostrils, and piercing sunlight
winks through the shades.
Good morning, morning,
sing me a song
about dew-kissed lilies,
brewing coffee,
a jogger's
labored breathing,
and a sparrow's jittery chirp.

Object of my love,
My heart aflutter high,
Your auburn eyes paint a never-ending sky.

Your sweet lilac perfume,
gently breathes down my neck,
and your arms pressed delicately around my side,
one more kiss
is all I ask.

You give to me,
an oasis in a desert,
sunlight breaking night,
and emotions now become,
all the more enjoyable.

Life's motions
set my endurance high.
Now,
my heart slows,
my breath sighs,
my eyes soften,
and all around me
is the brilliant fanfare of love.

Mend the wounds unto me from my life,
and sew together my broken pieces,
with kindness
and love.

Steal my nights away,
sleep's another moment
not spent with you.

I've been given grapes,
give it some time,
now I want wine.

If an easy rain
would make the rocks slippery,
he would hold my hand.

I was 12
when my older brother told me
that my teeth looked like
those of a rabid dog
That was the first time
I really took a look in the mirror
and felt ugly.

I was 13
when I first dragged a blade
across my skin
trying to drain the ugliness
straight from my veins.
That was the first time
that I felt in control.

I was 14
when a friend told my teacher what she saw
and I came home to my parents
sitting in the living room waiting
for me to show them.
That was the first time
that I felt betrayed.

I was 15
when I was forced to see a therapist
who stared at me with knowing eyes
waiting for me to spill
something other than my own blood.
That was the first time
that I realized how easy it is to lie.

I was 16
when I wanted to end my life
I said a few goodbyes
to some people at school
and nobody tried to stop me.
That was the first time
that I felt helpless.

I was 18
when a friend killed himself
making me realize what I didn't
have the guts to do
was the best thing I've never done.
That was the first time
I realized I wanted to live.

Now I'm 20
finally having the courage to write
what I've been waiting to for years.
No longer ashamed of my past
because it's made me who I am.
This is the first time
that I felt brave.