I met the strangest girl  
with messy hair and a crooked smile,
a heart that beat too quickly
and legs that ran for miles.
she loved to squeeze up next to me,
run her fingers down my leg
but her eyes looked far beyond
as her mind floated away
today she looked inside of me,
hair falling soft on her cheek
her parted lips began to move
but her soul refused to speak.

“so, I’ve been thinking
of heading off.
joining a brand new band,
singing a fresh new song.
you know I’ve always been happiest
simply drifting along.
I feel so peaceful here,
but I can’t stand anything
for far too long”

I answer,
“even me?”
she stares back blankly, smiles
and looks beyond

jasmine is known
to be sweet and delicate
her life a never ending poem
that, as she reads,
she slowly forgets.

desperately chasing her tail
to discover where she belongs
only to find herself circling, heading nowhere
she forgets that love has been in her
all along.

see, jasmine's a traveler at heart
yet always confused on where to go
trying to find herself a perfect world
when her world can only be created
through words.

why can't you figure out how to unravel her mind
as quickly as you do the straps holding up her dress
unlucky for you,
the girl you've laid eyes on
craves the tenderest kind of sweetness
the kind you only find wrapped
in trust and innocence.
if you asked me,
I'd say,
            "honey, you're looking for love in the wrong place"
yet, your eyes dart down instead of up into the light
but see, even then, I don't think you’re blind
you're simply complacent
unable to see your debility
in recognizing true, mysterious beauty
for where your eyes see *******
lies a soul, a chasm
of infinite depth,
illuminated by sunlight.
if you were able to finally see it,
you'd quiver and shake in delight.

I felt the gentle rock of the earth
as she held me in nurturing arms
a feeble child, touched by warmth
as we swayed together
I hoped you wouldn't let go
for if the roof came down from above
and the ground caved in
I'd be smothered by your love
and we'd be together again

discomfort is all
I've ever known
so how can comfort
feel like home?
how can I settle for this
when something better might exist?
I feel it in my soul:
the longing
the pining
for what? I do not know
but if I have nothing to reach for
then what do I do?
where can I go?
if I stay with you
I'll still feel alone
I am always uncertain
I am endlessly hurting
I will never be stable
so I'll never be able
to love you

my hunger will never be satisfied
for what I crave is not food
and feeling the emptiness satiates
more than eating ever could
when I starve,
my mind is occupied
and I forget that I'm alone
the pangs hit deep
and I smile
as they strike bone

a touch so soft
even a petal
can feel its love