I'm trying to take care of myself
The same way I take care of
The plants on my windowsill
With patience
With a gentle hand
And the idea that nothing grows over night

three different beds
and
not one is home

Who would have known that
My smile would find its shine
By the gaze of two crystal eyes
At the hands of one nervously scribbled line

before her
fall in love with the feeling of
your own skin
marvel at the light hitting each contour of
yourself, inside and out
her name on your lips
cannot, will not mend you until
you learn to adore
the color of your own eyes
and the feeling of your own hands intertwined

I am learning to adore
And not despise
That which came before me
I am starting to understand
That this is not my home
I am just a visitor
And visitors do not disrespect
Their host

Make sure to hug her a lot;
She needs it even if she won't admit it.
Don't you dare yell at her when you're angry;
She's had enough of that and doesn't need it from you.
Tell her how much you love all of her freckles;
She doesn't like them and I'll never understand why.
Support her love of art and writing;
She's going to go far with it.
Do whatever you can to make her laugh;
Even if it's embarrassing, I promise it will be worth it.
Don't force her to talk;
She'll come to you when she's ready.
Write about her constantly;
She deserves it.
Never ever take her for granted;
You'll regret it.

it's been nearly a year
and I'm lying on the same floor
staring at that same spot on the ceiling
listening to that same song
thinking about the same ******* person
knowing I never even cross their mind