Respect
does not
warrant meek submission.

Loyalty
is a
two-way street.

Obedience
cannot be
mistaken for assent.  

Justice
should be
free of prejudice.

Being human feels
like a compromise.

After much thought, I have adopted a smile.
Everyone always said I needed one to be complete;
absolutely could not have a full life without it.
As if life is a glass of water
standing on time’s table.

Do it sooner, they said,
so you both can grow up together.
It’s easier when you’re young
and still have the energy.

I had already raised a few little monsters.
My frowns and pouts and scowls
were in full bloom and flourishing.
How much harder could this be?
Smiles are easy to babysit.
I liked the idea of nurturing one as mine.

So, we brought home this shy wee thing.
She’s still getting used to the place,
nervous around her siblings.
But I am happy to report
every day her confidence grows
and soon, I hope
she will call us her family.

4 a.m. —
and I am the king of the world,
queen of all things feral.
I burn brighter than the stars,
a galaxy full of possibilities.
My reign eternal;
I am the only one alive
and I want to live dangerously.

Want —
with one word the light goes out,
the stars dip beyond the sea,
my crown tumbles to the ground,
I am pulled back to reality.

Back —
here and now
I rub my eyes;
feel my lambent desires die
as morning resurrects
all of my insecurities.