I'm haunted by the ghost of a young Bob Dylan,
followed by William Blake, beating a prophetic rhythm.
I'm a fraud, a flake, exposed in Plath's diary -
Maya Angelou has caged me, my song falling flatly.

Wings of stone will weigh you down,
Not a shield, just a lie,
Forge from love, a thorny crown,
Wings of faith, to lift you high,
Hope will bind you to the sky.

Heart of stone will make you weak,
Won't protect you, just a lie,
Each day passing, it'll turn you sick,
But even now, you still can't cry,
In the end, don't ask why,
Your heart will shatter, freeze or die.

Writhing within her chains of thorns,
Feeling great intense remorse-
Never sure of what she is-
Confused
Dazed
Sleepless and insecure
There are the years you learn
You learn to live, to thrive

but some don't make it out alive

Lately we drink
And then we talk,
And it’s perfect
Because I’ve missed
These conversations with you.

Lately we drink
And then we talk,
And then I get caught in my
Feelings because I don’t
Think I’m enough for you.

Lately we smoke
And I fall asleep,
And when I wake to
Your back to me, I pray
You didn’t fall asleep lonely.

Lately we smoke
And you fall asleep,
So I smoke some more
Because there’s a sadness
Brewing that I can’t explain.

Lately we ****
Instead of make love,
And it feels so good,
But I crave the raw love
You showed me the first time.

Lately we ****
Instead of make love,
And you moan in your dreams.
I stay awake at night
Hoping you’re dreaming of me.

Lately I think
And get stuck in my head;
Dangerous terrain.
My emotions flip and
Play tricks on my brain.

Lately I think
And get stuck in my head,
And allow my insecurity
To become reality,
Instead of using rationality,

And I’m so sorry.

I don't claim to be the most beautiful for simply vanities sake
From my first breath of life I learned
That in this world my beauty is my worth
If I am not desirable, then I am nothing
I am beautiful because I have to be
Since that first breath of life
I was told that I was beauty, through and through
If I am not beautiful, then what am I?
What purpose would I serve?
If I am not the most beautiful, then have I lost my worth?
The diamonds on my skin
The blinding, dazzling layer of my shallow beauty
Hide the precious gemstones that cover my heart and run through my veins
For I am beauty, through and through

You told me
"You could do better."
But all I could think of was
"Why would I?"

so scared of hurting,
she never pick a flower
before she's certain it blooms.

so scared of hurting,
she wears gloves to touch
before thorns could ***** her.

so scared of hurting,
she rips out hopeful weeds
before it could grow into dandelions.


_ e.i. _