is it about taking this love,
from my shaking hands?
charging through the walls i’ve built,
as a final, desperate stand?
can I ever be close to you,
without falling apart?
will you teach me how,
to show my frail heart?
do you hear me now,
my voice barely a murmur?
i’m trying so very hard,
to let you past my armour
to put faith in and trust you,
and take you at your word
please don’t make me regret,
laying down my sword
On letting people in.
starsyou made tiny starsdance at the cornersof my darkened eyesand then i realisedi wanted those starsto grow ever brighterrebellionevery time i smilelaugh, rejoice, singevery time i am given kindnessand every time i am smiled ati win, over and over and overfor there is no greater rebellionthan my existencefighteryour way is not of painyour destiny not ordainedstand up, brave warriorbrush the dust from your shouldersand keep fightingfaithfulfor as rustedand as wornas i ami will foreverbe your swordprivilege vs. allowanceit is such a kindnessto allow somebody to beexactly as they arei am so very sorrythat you were never handed it and thank youfor the allowanceof myselfi have neverhad the privilege beforepride monththe pharmacy down the streethas a sign on its sliding doorit says ‘everyone is welcome’though it wasn’t there before with playful, blocky textdecorated in progressive coloursit certainly does not feel this waythough, maybe it does to others? because he still walks to the countertugging, pulling at his baggy shirthe asks for the birth control quietlyafraid it might get him hurt it still says ‘feminine paper’in the aisle near the cashiernot period nor menstrualbecause god forbid the children hear all the congratulatory cards and baby clothesare pink for girls and blue for boysas if a child has the foresight, the freedomto question their parents’ choice the flags and celebratory hatsare covered in logos of sterilised whiteas companies attempt to ownthe struggle for our human rights on being trans, though i can’t speak to thati can certainly criticize, when a bar is set this lowwhen all he’s ever felt the need to saywas an apology for being so i do not know if i believe youdespite the sign on your front door… isn’t it just a performance for the customersso that they’ll give you more?InspirationWhy do we write, scribbling ink onto paper?Why do we do it now instead of later?Why indeed do we do so many things in life,Instead of facing head on its many strifes? For some, these stanzas and rhymes help a bit.They make us think and let us control it.Illusions of stability made by turning thoughts into words,Otherwise, would any of us even be heard? Flowing,<span style="padding-left: 55px;">Freeform,</span><span style="padding-left: 120px;">Uniquely</span><span style="padding-left: 150px;">structured,</span> Or perhaps evenA short and simple haikuPacked with a large punch. So many different types await the creative mind.Some may choose to let them rhyme entwined,Or to let them fall flat without a twin. There is no wrong way to write,Nor is there a wrong reason,But to ignore it at all,Commits against yourself treason. Let the creative juices flow freely,Let them go how they might.However your poem turns out,Just make sure<span style="padding-left: 60px; padding-bottom: -50px">it feels</span><span style="padding-left: 75px;">right. </span>trophyI roved out in search of freedomMove againAnd I swear I will stay,until your abdomen starts moving again.I miss when you did that.Muscles so tense and they were so alive.I don’t want you to die.A withered body;wobbly, immobile.Could your lungs move again?At least for one day.I’ll be the flesh to your bones,The diaphragm that moves.And the heart that still beats.For what used to be You.Self-ExpressionI love to ex<span style="padding-left: 25px;">press</span><span style="padding-left: 80px;">my</span><span style="padding-left: 110px;">self</span> In many different forms Musically<span style="padding-left: 95px;">Artistically</span><span style="padding-left: 200px;">Poetically</span> All these are <span style="padding-left: 15px;">fun</span><span style="padding-left: 105px;">unique</span><span style="padding-left: 105px;">exciting</span> They make me feel <span style="padding-left: 15px;">free</span><span style="padding-left: 152px;">happy</span><span style="padding-left: 152px;">in control</span> When I see a blank canvasI see <span style="padding-left: 15px;">what could be there</span><span style="padding-left: 55px;">its limitless potential<span style="padding-left: 55px;">endless possibilities</span> For me, creativity is <span style="padding-left: 15px;">an escape</span><span style="padding-left: 156px;">calming</span><span style="padding-left: 156px;">therapeutic</span><span style="padding-left: 156px;">freeing</span><span style="padding-left: 156px;">beautiful</span> By getting thoughts into wordsor ideas onto paperI can learn moreabout myself and my emotions.I can get a better handleon myself and hopefullygive myself some insighton the inner workings of my own mind. For me, self- expression<span style="padding-left: 200px;">is also self-discovery.</span> Who knows what I'll find tomorrow?</span>