i.
bravery, strength given for the better
a power in which only few may have
as a part of their life -
one that i certainly do not possess.
it can be transformed into the
shy living.

ii.
kindness, a value that is most special
most important and helpful
useful as it may be, it has
flaws that can be cracked:
broken leaves falling to the ground,
only a piece of truth.

iii.
anger, somewhat misunderstood
it can strengthen us at weakest moments
and break us in  t w o
little shattered glints of glass replacing
fragments of happiness.

these few traits are the composed parts,
pieces, bits of information inside of us that
we take to live our lives,

combined personalities.

I once met a girl-
who loved to draw.
Inside of her drawings-
were mysterious worlds.

I once met a girl-
who loved music with a passion.
Her songs consisted of-
dark lyrics and stories.

I once met a girl-
who found relief in smoking.
Which brought her a high-
that no one could ever replace.

I once met a girl-
who depended on her friends.
Costing her, her innocence-
making her more insecure.

I once met a girl-
who lived her deepest fears.
Making her stronger-
making her independent.

Fire
                                           Like Fire, I’m brave
                                                 Courageous
                                                 I have spark
                                                    Passion­
                                         Vigorous enthusiasm
                                                 But, like fire,
                                              I’m also irritable
                                    I destroy love, relationships,
                                          And I burn bridges
                                     I burst into sudden anger
                                                    Jealous­y
                                  Eruptions of past heartbreaks
                               But, unlike fire, I can be calm like

Air
                                                I’m carefree
                                                Kind-hea­rted
                                           Too easily trusting
                                            I’m independent
                                                 Optimistic
                                                   Diligent
                                        Light and free flowing
                                                 But, like air,
                                           I can be dishonest
                                                   Cunning
                                               Backstabbing
                                                Inco­nsistent
                              But, unlike air, I am forgiving like

Water
                                                I am devoted
                                                     Modest
                                                    Intuit­ive
                                                     Loving
                                               But, like water,
                                          I’m taken for granted
                                             Often over looked
                                                     Unstable
                                                   Unreliable
                                                      ­ Rigid
                                                        Laz­y
                                         Violent and moody
                             But, unlike water, I am humble like

Earth
                                              I am cautious
                                                Resistan­t
                                              Responsible
     ­                                              Sober
                                               Ambitious
                                               Respectful
                                                Punctu­al
                                            But, like Earth,
                                               I’m touchy
                                                  Timid
  ­                                              Scornful
          ­                        And periodically dormant

On the surface:
Porcelain skin,
lightly freckled face.
Long auburn hair.
Brown and green flecked eyes.
5'9, thick thighs, tight waist.
This is the girl you fell in love with.
The girl in front of you.
Just what you can see and feel and hold.
You did not fall in love with what is underlying.
Numb to most, angry with others.
Careful.. Never one to rush things.
A fan of perspectives.
An interest in different characteristics.
Curious about every little thing.
Inquisitive, kind.
A raging internalization of anger and frustration
and sadness.
Foundation ready to give out but she wont let it.
She patches up each new crack.
Lost her mind long ago
but never faltering her grip on reality.
It's tattooed on her.
She can't escape the harsh truths.
One being, people only see the surfaces.
Never digging even the slightest.
She's seen many lives lost before it was their time.
She's given up long ago.
Taught herself;
No one can be saved if they wont help themselves first.
Removed herself from
they who claw at the ankles
of people to be dragged down alongside them.
She holds her head up high when she feels herself sinking.
All alone, right beside you.
Always there when she's needed.
Never to have anyone hold her hand
or tell her she's strong.
She doesn't need to be told.
She knows that to survive what she has,
she must be anything but weak.
She will laugh in the face of the antagonist,
smile and ask how their day was, truly curious.
But you only see the surface.
She's just a pretty face.

I am artistic, and determined
I wonder what happens after death
I hear the tame wind blow through a forest
I see tall trees in a thick forest
I want to live my life in the forests of Oregon and Washington
I am artistic, and determined


I pretend that I live in a peaceful world on my own
I feel relaxed
I touch a warm, white, ceramic cup of tea
I worry about death
I cry about the sadness of a divorce
I am artistic and determined


I understand being an artist does not always result in success
I say that all people are equal
I dream about being successful
I try to produce pieces that are better than the ones before
I hope to find someone who loves me
I am artistic and determined