I am so tired of being tied to “pretty”
As if all I am is nothing but a mere face.
A delicate mannequin protected behind glass
A porcelain doll to be ogled at from afar…
Until you find a prettier one.
A thing stared at until you walk away—
My face vanishing from your sight.
Forever forgotten the face that caught your attention moments ago.

Always treated as if my only purpose is to shut up and smile
Pose there as they auction and sell me off.
Pretty.
Pretty.
Pretty.
Pretty is not all I will be.

he is a winter lake,
embraced by white,
snow-capped shorelines.
his clear and pristine waters
are topped with smooth stillness:
inches of ice
that glows along with the moonlight.

she is a summer sea
with vast warm waters
and wild waves
that crash on yellow sandy shores.
she glistens with the pink rays
of the afternoon sunset
while hiding dark mysteries
for hundreds of feet.

a sudden ring
pierces through the stillness of the night.
he says that he's just outside the door.
he says that he's waiting for me.

12:02 am:
the start of a midnight fantasy

i put on my sweater and slippers.
taking quiet and careful steps,
i escape the four corners of reality and
plunge into the chilly air and the sea of moonbeams.
a warm embrace and a playful laugh welcomes me.

we walk
under the comets and constellations
kicking away pebbles and fallen autumn leaves,
dancing to the beat of our hearts
at the empty city street.

we arrive at the store;
the stark fluorescent light floods our eyes as
i push open the foggy glass door.
he pays pennies, paper bills,
and an encouraging smile
to the lonely counter cashier.

we feast on steaming cups of noodles and
a bag of cheesy chips while
telling stories of the past and
sharing ideas of the future.
we paint visions in our heads,
etch promises in our hearts.
all these with laughter,
echoing to our very souls.

bliss
makes the hours fly by.
the pink hues of dawn chases the moon away.
basking in its gentle rays,
we watch the waking of the sun
as it rises from behind the hills and rooftops.
and like the glorious light,
joy and hope surges through our veins.
and though we don't even touch
we feel love's embrace.

there is a sudden sweep of panic though.
before our parents wake up
we bid each other
thank you and goodbye
and run back to our homes.

but
no matter what,
we know
surely and sincerely
that no morning can ever end our
midnight fantasy.

You were that star
I wished on every night
You were that star
In the darkest of times
You were that star
In the constellation of my mind
But stars fall
And that's what happened to *you

I fell on my knees and they bled
but
they didn't bleed as much as
my heart
when
I fell for her