I write
because there is a diamond buried in me
encased in a series of masked lips
filled with words I try to believe in.

I write
because my tongue can’t keep up
with the marathon my brain runs
every time my hair greets the pillowcase at night.

I write
because I breathe thousands of lyrics
I am too fearful of putting on display
in the pieces of myself I left behind.

I write
because there is a weight I wake with
daily on my heart that pushes me
to swallow every negativity that may ****** me.

I write
because it’s the only way I know how to speak,
the only way I know how to love,
the only way I know how to heal,

the only way I know how to live.