I feel as though a part of me has died
been reborn, like a butterfly
i cannot see my wings
yet their weight tugs on my back
salt to a wound
is it meant to be this painful?
does beauty blossoms from pain

i've spent years harnessing the power that rumbles inside of me
trudging through forest fires of red hot fiery
i am powerful in a way often overlooked
the waves part for me
stars shimmer and glitter because I will it so,
you cannot destroy which was never yours to claim
gods of wrath and war and love and desire
gifted myself to me
--- me who is worthy
you merely had the pleasure of bearing witness

look me up and down
conquer me like a knight to a traitor
pleated skirt on a cool august evening
i promise you love doesn't taste this sweet
lust guides where love faults
this is human nature
there is nothing lovely about it

do you see me through the gaps of what i show you?
between the words of which i say to you
my biggest fear is to be understood by only what i
say, show, do
i am so much more than myself

knees bruised
legs open
throat coarse
palms outstretched in a plea
tears like silk gliding down my cheeks
this is how i love
this is how i love you

her voice is as sweet as cinnamon
laughter as light as a feather
i could spend the rest of my life trying to capture that sound
to lock it in a jar and store it for rainy days