i do not want to have you
to fill the empty parts of me
i want to be full on my own

i want to fill so complete
i could light a whole city
and then
i want to have you
cause the two of
us combined
could set
it on fire

I sat with myself one day and asked, 'Who is in those prestigious literary circles? Do they represent me? Do they appreciate the topics I write about and the style in which I write? Do those gatekeepers let a demographic like mine through the door?' And the answer was no.

When things get better, there's a swing to the pendulum where things get worse for others.

Like the rainbow
after the rain
joy will reveal itself
after sorrow

never feel guilty for starting again

you look at me and cry
everything hurts

i hold you and whisper
but everything can heal