i remember the boy
who told me
"wow you look great,
you used to not have a neck"
his words sliced through my throat
like mirror glass
i could not let out a cry
but now i will
let out at roar
that will shake his cruelty
out of his bones.

i’ve never been here before
come, i want to show you
this place
there’s one rule,
to believe.

i watched the rain.
admired how quickly
i saw the plants
smile with green.
i wondered what
i would like
if i watered
myself in what
i need to grow.

i wonder
how i can be
both happy and
absolutely petrified
to fall in love

when you find someone,
who can love you
like you love you,
thank the universe,
for true love is
sensational.

when they say
you feel like home,
smile, welcome them
into your garden of youth,
but if they start plucking
your petals off
tell them it is time
they plant their own garden
some place else.

if you leave,
leave tenderly.
wiggle yourself
out of these roots.
don't say goodbye to
my flowers,
they have already
lost enough petals.