The fire
gone
then back again
like a winking eye.

Warming
it was not

burning
it was

he was drawn to it
like a thing of brush;

it was
Different.

A crackle of flames,
a silence

it was
Different.

Voices:
talked about everything
never of nothing

a continual curiosity
a sense of wonder;

it was
Different.

Everyone talks about falling in love,
but have you ever noticed how easy it is to fall out of it?
Maybe I'm cold-blooded, maybe my snakeskin doesn't shed because I don't even recognize myself anymore.

Maybe I don't breathe like you do, a different beat, different pace.
I'm so very sorry you have to go through this.

But I survive by eating hearts whole,
that's what snakes do.

I often find myself choosing
The option that pleases people
Even if it doesn't
I rather not have the conflict
Of choosing something different
But because of it
I see myself
Burdened with lines and cages
Boundaries and limitations
Filled with unwanted self expectations
To fit in so I'm not left out
To avoid having to explain myself
Why am I like this
Why do I like this
And then ask myself
Why do I still feel unwanted
I put myself in this box
Even though I didn't have to
Now I will tear this box
And build a fort or castle
Just because I want to

I am fire and brimstone
paint me witch
and burn me with your insecurities
Hang me high on a limb
let me be a warning
tell them what becomes
of little girls with big ideas
with loud mouths
and unusual expressions
show them what it means
to be creative
how to paint with innocent blood
and call it justice
Wipe us out as quick as you can
Recognize us by the magic inside
or the devil you see in our smiles
drive us out before there are more of us

But there will always be more of us
For most of us still live in the shadows
Still fear for our lives
But oh, us courageous few
stubborn with pride in our quirks
will never die.
Try as you might,
slaughtering us by the dozens,
we will remain an unwavering memory
an example for those in the shadows
ready to come out and take our place.