i am a racing heart
i am a network of pain pumping veins
i am sweating palms and bruised collarbones
i am tired arms
i am battered limbs and swollen lips
i am scratches on hips
i  am the calm before the storm and the smell after it rains
i am the curl of your toes into the duvet
i am brittle bones and aching muscles
i am tired eyes and dry throat
i am arms around your waist and lips pressed to your neck
i am salty beads on slick skin
i am wobbly knees and tongue against cheek
i am unstable steps of insecurity
i am a slur ushered at 2 a.m when you forget you don't like girls like me
i am soft cries into pillows when i remember you don't like girls like me

e.s