Hey little girl,
I know you feel lonely.
I know you're scared,
scared of being left behind.

Sometimes you wish
you could just stop feeling this pain.
Sometimes you wish
you we're stronger.

I know sometimes you wish
you weren't so vulnerable.
But let me tell you one thing:
It's actually one of your strengths.

It's what creates friendships.
If you let someone see your vulnerability
They might show you theirs
and you can learn to trust again.

Carry your sensitivity proudly
it makes you beautiful.
Maybe you'll get hurt,
but you're strong enough to carry on.
Take the chance to feel loved again.

Remember,
never shut yourself off
no matter how scared you are.
Keep reaching out,
you never know
who's waiting for you.

So no matter what you feel
please don't bottle it up.
Cry as loud as you want to,
be as weak as you want to.
All your feelings are valid,
all of them are important!

I want you to know
that I'll always be here.
I'll be your shoulder to lean on
and i'll soothe you
no matter how weak you feel.

I want you to know
you are safe and loved.

I’ve got
a vague idea of an OK world
hidden behind the ruins of time
waiting to be discovered
longing for me
to knock on it’s gates
thrilled to shower me
with rays of sunshine
the scents so soft
the sounds so comforting
I can’t help but exhale
it tucks me in
with a blanket of stars
makes sure
the moon kisses me goodnight
it takes care
of all that’s living
and in-between
it takes care of me
when I can’t

I’ve got
a vague idea of an OK world
if only I knew
where it was hidden

i’m a butterfly in the rain
wings dripping with salty tears
i’m a firefly in the dark
possessing a glow so beautiful
it makes me worth catching
i’m a girl with no hope
for i am too much of everything
and never enough.

I live in the first century of the clone wars
most morning we’d wake up swiping up.
the new papers don’t arrive no more
because the news pours out of various device
interrupting morning thoughts, selling
us products to own more.
we think sophisticatedly but stay
closed off.
happy to be clones, to be sold love.
living vicariously through actors, models
or influencers who show more.
we think they are intelligent, they brave enough
assuming they know more.
consider the singular ways we live
consumed by our individualism, our greed.
consider the trees
and the many people who
puff this **** to cope on.
each year, iPhones get expensive
while screen light darkens the truth.
I rarely write with a pen if i don't have autocorrect
but I am a graduate, a grown up.
I am reconciling with this spell
from upon which i proceed
but this war still goes on.
imagine we find each other, then construct
mutual peace instead of flashing lightsabers
because we are so tough.
imagine we say our piece
while pinning respect on our sleeves,
then step out the street to hold hands.
its only the first century of this clone war
yet we are exhausted, from everyone
being so right and i wonder if we ever
gon slow down.

this year was never
yours
it was all about
you
your choice
yourself
you yielding
towards any
yeses
yays
yums
yucks
but most importantly
this is all about
you
so just let's turn everything around
with new hellos
turn those yawns
to happy smiles
paint them yellow
let's yell
our young selves
with yearning

xo

The Other Side

Look through me so that I can see you
naturally
Surprise me
Do not hinder your reveal

I appreciate your humanness

The blood that sings when you think of me in golden evenings

I know.

That you can hear me learning
I feel your brain’s creativity on my spine

That is beauty speaking to the core
Growing one breath at a time
before we meet again

dear basil,

stop.
look up.
your flowers
are growing.

don't miss it.

love,
basil