Everything Else

Endure

Pink ceremony

Discover gentle lavender

Then almost warm

Begin change

Touch gender

Know inside

Change clothes

Transform self

Meet him

Remember me

Nourish spirit

Make boy

Heal world

Fresh person

Like a bird’s first flight

Breaking from comfort

Create hopeful minds

And new imaginations

In people who are learned

In a world that is

Unfeeling

That tries to invisibilize

Firefly, guide me

To something lovely

A flicker so bright

Through this endless night

Tired, you must be

With stories, plenty

For I know your fight

Is why I can be bright

Remind me to see

That I will be free

They tell me to walk to the beat of my own drum

That I will make great noise one day

And the world will stop and listen

But take me back to when I’d find makeshift drums

That I somehow knew how to play

I miss showing others how to dance freely

take me back to when things were still colorful

and I could be too if I really wanted

I miss showing others how to color outside the lines

Walk to the beat of your own drum

But not so fast that you miss your exit

Sometimes you have to let go of good things

But take me back to when grass smelled like grass

and I could lay it in without feeling the itch

I miss when the world around me was no bother

take me back to when I wanted to grow up and save the world

I wanted to be bright like the sun

I miss when its light didn’t make me squint so much

Now I just listen to revolution music

Hoping that one day I’ll get to leave my room

And see all the good this world says it has to offer

Unwavering despite the fear

I know who I am, where I’ll stand

when screams echo, reverberate

too loud for me to think enough

about quiet, calm, and safety

that they claim to not weaponize

Yet somehow, I find I am still,

comfortable when shots ring out,

when young hearts are desecrated,

and innocence is forgotten,

when death and terror plague our minds

and they still parade this pavement

too many and all too silenced

the eternal, visceral screams

of each mother and each father

whose stories can be found beside

those of our youth buried six feet

under the disguise of freedom

the red stains will wash off the ground

the flashing lights will fade away

they will all sleep just fine tonight

a light meal on their fine china

but so heavy in the stomachs

of those forced to swallow the news

To the people who gawk at us

Holding their ears shut and opening their mouths

Eager to erase us like stray pencil marks

Are they aware that we know

Media is always the the first to go

Enforcing erasure to create subservience

Renouncing its veracity

It is interesting how much

Communication scares them

Access to knowledge and truth

News stations, books, and online media

Remember, when things get hard, that

Existing through it all is enough

Venom may seep into our optimism but

Our hope will swell into the spaces between the

Lines and curves of each loathing letter they write

Under and around every thought they have

There will be no room for their gluttonous distaste

It is now only we the people

Our responsibility to preserve our

Nation’s democracy

Do not be afraid when they 

Outlaw our right to fight

Education will be next

Systems may fail, but we will prevail

Notice historic parallels

Observe and object their onset

This is your reminder to remember

We will not move forward quietly

Allowing them to sever the American dream

It is still we the people

To whom this constitution is addressed

Feel the world looking 

Ought to show them the real American dream

Resist this oppression until it caves in on itself

Hold tight to your loved ones

Obligate them to fight

Prepare for what is to come

Endure, if it is the only thing you can do

we must fight

their made up ideology so

it does not align with

the view of the masses

this country, built on good values

is constantly trying to fight

an ongoing takeover that

we failed long ago to put an end to

learn it, and learn it good

those deemed inferior

who see the relinquishment of freedoms to

white Christian men

we must fight

Fireworks in the night

Ribbons across the sky

Children wish on missiles

Instead of shooting stars

With sirens to lull them to sleep

When the heart calls out

chase after it.

It will let you know

when the time comes.

Your heart could not bear

to be alone.

You had to pass on

in the name of love.

The drive to Tennessee

from up north.

In the name of our

blooming love for you.

This family, broken

will miss you dearly.

We will understand

eventually.

I hope it was easy

and painless.

To have found her again,

no longer lamenting.

I will only be 3.1 miles away from home

But I am leaving a life behind

For a new and unknown beginning

I will only be 3.1 miles away from home

And yet not know the aisles of the grocery store

And the pharmacist will not know my last name

I will meet new people and make new friends

But I am leaving a life behind

A more grown up version of me will come home

The six minute drive to my parent’s house

Means that I have left

For a new and unknown beginning

I will only be 3.1 miles away from home

But I am leaving a life behind

For a new and unknown beginning

what if I just said it?

out loud

to the walls of this house

just once

alone, to the kitchen walls

they'll hold onto it

until I’m ready

Before we are taught

That being a boy or girl has rules

Before we are taught

that we are white or that we are not

Before we are taught

That money can define who we are

Before we are taught

That there is only one way to learn

Before we are taught

That some love is worse than other love

We are all just people

Until we are taught that some are not

May we as artists paint a liberated sunrise

over the horizon of tomorrow

A vibrant reminder that

darkness is always followed by light

That goodness will find its way

In the face of our differences

May we erect intricate pillars of love

May they stand tall, unburdened

by the vulnerable ground beneath them/on this vulnerable ground

let us preach with their courage

And lean on them for strength

When I was younger I used to fear that Maleficent was under my bed while I slept.

Now I fear that I’m slowly falling victim to the stress and anxiety that caused me to grow up too fast.

I don't really remember when it happened, if it even happened at all, but I think somebody borrowed my ice cream scoop.

I keep it in the kitchen drawer, just to the left of the stove.

I think they gouged out my eyes with it and replaced them with the latest model.

It’s like my doctor gave me a new prescription for my glasses, but the only things I can see better are the distressing ways in which the world works.

If this is what growing up is like, then I want to go home to my parent’s house.

I’ll be there looking for a part of myself that I must have forgotten to take with me when I moved out. 

I’ll plan an ice cream party if I meet her again.

I hope they washed my scoop before putting it back in the drawer.

If people begin to tell me I am not enough

that I am not worthy of life’s fruit

and I no longer have a place to call home

the earth will take care of me

It will take care of me

like how the ocean loves the sand

the endless reach and retreat of the water

seemingly superfluous

but I don’t imagine the sand could ever tire of it

it will wash me clean of my sins

I will find a field of thick grass

and lean into the soft tickle

it does not need to know why I am there

and yet it will still cradle me softly

a cushion between the soil and its grounding tendencies

There will always be trees for me to lean on

skytouchers, light pursuers, life providers

I will learn to grow roots where I am planted

I must reach for even the things I cannot yet see

The sun will be bright even when I cannot be

it will shine on me regardless

and paint a romance on the sky where it kisses the earth

as if to remind me that I, too, am lovely and warm

If the world’s love turns to that of a rock

I will allow my heart to blossom around it

I will rejoice in the very things I am not supposed to

There are monsters under my bed.

Daddy, I can’t sleep.

Come, sit with me.

I love you.

I love you too.

I love you three.

I love you a thousand.

I love you whatever you say +1.

I win.

No.

I love you whatever you say +2.

I love you.

joy is when flowers bloom

in soil that's grown too many other things

other people’s beliefs

their big feelings and their fears

of a love they've never known

and to grow a garden, even in dry soil

is to believe in tomorrow

it is to believe that good things will fruit

but know that it will take time and care

to taste their sweetness

to be here is to plant the seeds

of the garden that will become tomorrow

it is to believe that good things will fruit

but know that it will take time and care

to taste their sweetness

there is joy in passing on these seeds

sharing slices of this fruit

with those who wish to partake

in this world, blooming and bright

there is joy in growing old

and watching young children flourish

showing them how to root, passionately

how to stand in the sun’s light

I’ll tug on this light so it radiates

on the living witnesses of our past failures

those who have been given the most

malnourished soil in which to root

for an ecosystem cannot flourish

without its most vulnerable

Home

is within me,

but I wish to burn it

so that hurt no longer

has a place to rest

there is a part of me

that will always remain in room 308

where I learned more about living

than about black holes and our solar system

that heavy feeling

of walking out the door

and not saying goodbye

because it hurts to much

empties me out like a bucket

I’ll see you again, eventually

even if it's just because

you’re looking out for me

even if it’s only in passing

and my head is down

and there you were

in the doorway of room 308

telling me to watch where I’m walking

and helping me keep myself

in the sun’s light

Mother

love me when I am messy

Mother

Love me when I am happy

Mother

Love me when I am home

And when I am far

Mom,

I love you

Dear Nex Benedict,

I’m sorry that the world was not kind to you

that it was screaming at you

and nagging at your clothes

and picking you apart, piece by piece

and then

blink

you left

and your beautiful, wonderful noise followed

how can the world keep moving when yours has stopped?

and there is no more beautiful, wonderful noise

I’m sorry that the world isn’t ready to listen to us

I’m sorry that it threw you out

like a sketch, full of mistakes

I know you liked to draw

you should still be here

doodling instead of doing your homework

the world should have been listening

to your joyous song

and your radiant laughter

but it is hungry for fear

it is eager to find people to blame for its faults

and it swallowed you whole, unforgivingly

your cats will miss you

and wonder where you went

their mournful meows echoing in my mind

the world was not ready

for your beautiful, wonderful noise

but I was

and I will miss you too

Rest in Power,

A non-binary high school kid

I noticed recently that when I cry,

my lips form the same crinkle as your’s

when it is my turn to experience the world

and its greatest joys and most painful faults

when the world feels heavy

too heavy to stop thinking about,

I will know that you are there, comforting me

reminding me that I am not alone

sterilize the groceries 

before they come in the house

and the air

before anyone breathes it in

and my feelings too, just in case

numbers wobbling on the tv,

indecisive and unsure of themselves

just a flicker, up, up quicker

up, up sicker

“don’t hold your breath”

but the whole thing was

one sudden gasp and then 

three years of mouth closed

mask on, more distance

oh to be a child again

in a world not dying, not lying

to grow, uninterrupted

into the flesh and fear

of a seventeen year old

without six feet

bound to the front of my shoes

without six feet of space

between me and myself

sage green stems conceal a love 

in fields of intimate pink and blue petals

and after the long, numbing winter

the purple flowers, planted with love, will bloom

this love will not die

before I am allowed to hold your hand

before our stems, sage green and blooming lavender,

can knit themselves together, over and under each other

Mother Earth will tend to the weeding and watering

her sun will watch us fondly, and nurture us dearly

her rain will moisten our souls, each drop, another “I love you”

her wind will carry us, delicately, out of harm’s way

she has been a witness to all love

that of man to woman, 

of water to earth,

and me to you

under her care, and in her arms

our love will grow, it will bloom

and for the love of all things earthly,

let the world witness our garden of purple, me and you

I do not want to grow up

because then I am alone

I will have no dad to tell me

that there are no monsters under my bed

but still pretend to scare them away

so that I will finally go to sleep

to tell me

that he will beat up anyone who hurts me

and jokingly scare people that I bring home

because that is how he shows me he loves me

and no mother to tell me it will be okay

when it feels like my world is falling apart

and hold me while I cry

over old friends and growing up

to put bandaids over my cuts and scrapes

and kiss my life ending injuries

pretending that it will fix everything

because that is how she shows me she loves me

I do not want to grow up

because then I am alone

I miss my movie couch.

the rough, tan striped loveseat

that lived at my grandmother’s house

I didn’t let anyone else sit on it

If we were watching a Free Willy movie

If anyone insisted we watch the fourth movie,

my grandmother and I refused

It didn’t follow the storyline properly,

So we rarely watched it

And though she’s still gone, I won't watch it

I had eyes that had never seen bad things.

And they stared in awe at the whales

I had no idea that they were not real,

that they were edited in afterwards,

like most things in life

the last time I wore a dress, two Aprils ago

for the marriage of a close family friend

I promised myself it would be the last time

because I never liked how they made me feel

part of me wishes I did like them though

a nice sundress for picture day,

a permanent record of my ability to fit in

and correctly dress my body

this body, that doesn’t even feel

like it belongs to me anymore and 

I don’t know if it ever did, or if maybe

it’s just a figure for society to dress up

If only I was allowed to be angry

But that would make noise

And I am not supposed to make noise,

Nothing louder than the clack of a heel

I have believed my whole life

That I am a stained child of God

A white dress on a clothesline

Blood from my breasts to my womanhood

If only I was allowed to be angry

But then a man would tell me

What it really is and what it really isn't

And I’d still be angry, but no longer out loud

I feel too deeply to feel anything at all

And I love too hard to love myself

But I speak with intention

I tell things as they are, not as they want to be

If only I was allowed to be angry

But my voice has been borrowed

With no intention of being returned

It would be too loud anyway, I’m sorry

Hold me

While the life around me grows

Love me 

until my flowers fall off

For I am lavender

Trying to grow

in soil made for other kinds of plants

The yellow flowers are not weeds

I don’t think the world would make bad things pretty

They’re like teeny-weeny sunflowers

And I want to give you every single one

But I can’t pick that many during one recess

So I’ll give you one at a time

Teacher Andy told me to stop

He says I should pull the whole thing

not just the yellow part

I guess he thinks the’re pretty too

But not as pretty as you are

a blue creation

moves within the walls

of a pink existence

and after a long time

the blue creation will breathe

in and out, in and out, in and out

the blue creation will breathe

Naked feet and 

pat pat and

tears running, racing

down my face

because it wants

every last one

Huff huff and 

ha ha and 

look at me

laugh at me

while I run

from this thing

Speak right now

or never, forever

blah blah blah

none of it

really means anything

if every runner

ends up dead

Cobwebs between my fingers

And dust coated clothes

I’ve been put on many a shelf

And they say I’m an old soul

Pale scar marks on my brain

And fresh wounds all over my knees

I’ve seen too many things

And they say I’m an old soul

Wish somebody would dust me off

And finally take me to the doctor

Before my body grows old

And my soul finally dies

the only place that really knows me is my bedroom

the green fibers on the floor have soaked up more tears 

than a tissue or a t-shirt sleeve ever could

and I have spoken more words to the ceiling

than to my own mother

I used to sit on the floor with my friends

we’d talk for a really long time

until I got distracted by something else

or fell asleep, or just had nothing else to say

I miss those days

when fake friends were real friends

and our imaginations were reality

poke me with your cold fingers

then with needles

one, two, three

sedate me with meds

so it doesn't hurt anymore

and force feed me emotions

that taste ugly

sad and salty

I'll throw them up later

when you're not looking

don't tell me why

or even listen

when I tell you I'm broken

just let me cry

and taste the sad, salty drips

that run down my face

the only nice thing,

the lady with pearly, white hair

who asked me why I was there

and told me that it would be ok

unfinished poems are my favorite

I like them because they have an emptiness

just like all the poets I know

who do not bleed red, but rather

words you might read

until their soul is as blank

as the paper they write on

broken pieces

of human flesh

lying on the floor

with words glued to us

in hopes they will hold us

together for another day

People say that love is definitely all it's cracked up to be.

But I think my heart is failing me,

and if they were really looking out for me,

they would suggest open heart surgery.

Because when your heart is this torn,

holes made by thorn after thorn,

using red rose petals as bandages to hold it together,

they’d tell me to have it taken out and replaced.

That the one I have now is a waste.

The only real way to fix a broken heart

is to sew it back together, part by part.

A needle and thread

In and out, in and out

To mend the holes

From many years of wear

The thin fabric

And the burnt edges

From when I ran 

through a fire

Hurry

Get some water 

Pour it over me

I think I’m burning

again

A needle and thread

In and out, in and out

Of my soul

you were always trying to be my friend

always trying to hug me and be there for me

even though you already have so many friends

I asked you to go away, just for the day

but you still showed up knocking on my door the next morning

every. single. morning.

trying to hold my hand, and pull me away

so I let you be my friend for a while

and all I could think to do was reach out to you

but I didn’t dare dial your phone just yet

until you visited me and told me you missed me

and after I followed you to the stars

I guess I just gave up and gave in

and became another one of your closest friends

We as humans

must live darkness

to know light

It takes a long time 

for the human eye 

to adjust 

to a darkness

Crunch

of dead, dried up leaves

too loud

for the sleeping sky

But star

and moon

don’t hide

because they know 

It takes a long time

for the human eye

to adjust 

to a darkness

But only a short while

for us to fall

Into that darkness

forever

sometimes I feel your hands on me, like a ghost

and I feel like you’re always watching me, lurking behind me

even though you’re not there it still makes me feel like a living zombie teen

no sleep, and no control over my own brain

we’ll go to your house on Halloween night

and we’ll tell people we just wanted to be alone for a while

You and I both know that you just want to help me put on my costume,

the one you picked out from the store the other day, that you knew was too small

you’ll paint my skin a greenish-gray with splotches of purple

because it’s the perfect mix of colors to cover the evidence you love to leave behind

the same muddy colors that come from your hate, now pretend to love me

and I’ll make sure to eat a light lunch and dinner so you can pull up the zipper all the way

I pray the five pounds I lost this year are enough for you to say I fit the part,

but not too much that you bring out the skeleton costume instead

you didn't even have to paint around my eyes because the skin was already purple

but you're not supposed to dress up as yourself, so maybe I should be the skeleton

you’ll say everything is all in my head, but I really do feel dead

we'll go out to the parties, and fill up on mini hotdogs and chips

and when people come over to talk to you, they'll see the angel outfit you put on

just your white halo headband and feathery wings, never the devil that lives underneath it

and If people ask what’s wrong,

I’ll just say that my costume doesn't fit right, that they didn’t have my size

and it’ll have to be okay because if I take it off before we leave

your angel costume will slide off in the bathroom and you’ll have to fix my makeup

and I'm only purple and green because today is really Halloween,

not because I'm a living zombie teen who’s dressed up every day, every single day

I love the cafe down the street

And its warm golden walls and terracotta colored leather seats

It's peaceful and comfortable

Like a cat purring or your favorite pair of sweatpants

I really like coffee, and I hate you

No, that's a lie

I like you a lot actually, and I hate coffee

But you’ll never know that because you love coffee so much

Just like how you’ll never know

That it's not a brown caffeinated drink that fills my cup

But rather slightly warm hot chocolate

With a dollop of whipped cream floating on top

I guess I never knew that you could brew secrets into a drink like that

But every time I sit down to have a cup of “coffee”

I think of you, all the secrets in my cup, and how I only drink it because I love you

I often sit on the park bench across from the coffee shop

To think about how we used to sit here together

How we used to people watch and enjoy the nice weather

On cool, crisp autumn days like this

Its fall, and the leaves are dancing their way to the ground

One lands on your head and you’ll laugh when I brush it off

You’re bundled up in the brown Carhartt jacket that you stole from me

Leaning on me, with a warm pumpkin spice coffee in your hands

It’s not like I miss doing that with you, but now that it’s just me on the bench

Holding a plain coffee, because pumpkin spice reminds me of you

I wonder if you’ve brought anyone else to this bench

And sat with them the way we used to

The adults are talking, so I’ll be quiet

in this uncomfortable, intimidating climate

just a whisper from across the room

a small voice that begs for a listening ear,

but I’ll creep into the back of their minds

When the world is on fire 

and their multi-million dollar mansion floods

Or their outed for doing things they “don’t support”

like genetically altering their baby’s blood

to cure a disease so their baby will be “normal”

Only then will they regret not listening,

but right now, the adults are talking

so I’ll be quiet, and I’ll wait my turn

and when they finally show some concern

my first words will be “I told you so”

I’ve never been one to go out to parties

and get drunk, or high

or anything like that,

but if I ever do

I hope you are there with me

To catch me when I fall

and lift me back to me feet

to hold my hair if I throw up

and to drive me home afterward

Maybe in the midst of laughing on the ride home

I’ll slip up and finally tell you I love you

and then maybe, just maybe

you’ll admit you love me too

But for now, our love is a well kept secret

hidden behind the unknowns of getting intoxicated

that we’ve been saving for when we go out to parties

and get drunk, or high

or something like that

Your love for me is almost all dried up

like the red wine stain on the now crunchy tan carpet

I can hear your yells echoing in my head over my crying

I thought I was dying, simply because I kept on trying

and then you raised your hand to hurt me one more time

using those few drops of love you had saved just for me

you finally showed your love when you set me free

and that’s how I knew you really did love me

you loved me enough to set me free from the pain you put me through

so with tears running down my face

I said I loved you too

as I watched another red stain seep into the carpet

this time, one that might kill you just like it did me

I like the way you smile

when you tap tap tap your feet on the floor in front of all those people

wearing the intricate costumes that drape so beautifully upon your delicately carved figure

and the fancy shoes that you like to put on, a different pair for each character

And although I’m your biggest fan, my sweet Madeline

When I’m watching you through the window in the kitchen, sitting in the rain

when you cross the small stones in the stream in our backyard

when you're hugging the trees and listening to the busy buzzing bees

When you’re smelling the sweet scent of the lilacs

When you’re laying in the grass again, my sweet Madeline

letting nature nurture you in ways dancing no longer can

Because the tap tap tap of your feet on the floor, does not make you as happy as it did before

I see a different smile, one that shines for miles, prettier than any costume styles

A smile that means something to you, because it comes from something true

I’ll say it again and again, I love a real smile on you, my sweet Madeline

I know I talk too much

I know I love too hard

I know I give my all to everything that doesn’t deserve it

You showed me the things that annoyed you

All the things that I already knew

I didn’t know what to do with it all

So I poured it out onto the floor for you to see

and was left to mop up the sea of tears

From the faucets in my head that you turned on

And even after you broke my heart and left me

Even after you perched me on the dusty shelf

I have found a way to be kind to myself

Through continuous kindness towards you

And all you put me through

Trying to fall in love with you a second time

Only to find out we were two words who’d never rhyme

This is where I come from

The dirt and the trees and the sun

The wooden playset in the backyard

It's 14 years, magically molded by the laughter of the neighborhood

The rules of the yard, so simply understood

Out so late into the darkness of the night

It swayed as I swung, my hands clinging to the chain in the warm spring

The creak when you sit is almost like it’s trying to speak to you

This is where I come from

The dirt and the trees and the sun

Love is just one of those things

One of those things that never really makes sense

It’s really great when both of you relate

But one miscommunication and the bond between you could snap.

Like how the loose string on your sweater gets tugged and the whole thing unravels.

Or the chair gets too old and it breaks when someone sits on it.

Or my personal favorite, someone forgets to put out a candle and the whole house burns down.

Love really does hurt all the time

It shatters your heart like glass

It fills your lungs like a toxic gas

It wears you out and it’s almost better that it’s something I live without

So be careful when you love someone

Because it hurts when they run

I took you to neverland

The second star to the right

The place where mermaids and fairies really exist

You fit in with the lost boys like you’ve known them forever

I asked you to stay with me

But you said you had to go

Because you had to grow up

But I hope you know

That you don’t ever really have to grow up

I’ll be here waiting if you change our mind

I know that your magic is dying

Along with the kid you never got to be

So with this sliver of hope I have

Promise me that you’ll still believe in magic

and take some fairy dust with you when you go

Promise me you’ll still come visit me

Up here in neverland

I’ll be who you want me to be

Even though that’s not how I feel

Because I’m the only one who knows that it isn’t right and

that I’ve always been a boy

And I tried so hard to convince myself that you were right

I said I wouldn’t tell people because they’d think I’m lying

Because I’m graceful the way a lady should be

And I look good in dresses that flow in the wind

I’m quiet and dainty in the back of the room

I’m just a girl

But I so badly want to say

I’m just a boy 

And I have the confidence to put myself in charge

And the teacher asks me to move heavy things

Because I’m muscular but only slightly

I’ll be who you want me to be

Even though that’s not how I feel

Because I’m the only one who knows that it isn’t right and

that I’ve always been a boy

And I tried so hard to convince myself that you were right

I said I wouldn’t tell people because they’d think I’m lying

Even after I said to you that the old me isn’t coming back

You told me you miss the old me

As if I’ve been replaced by a totally different person

Even though I’m still in the same physical body

You’ll never see me the same

As the wind kisses the trees

Blowing off the golden leaves.

The sun wakes up the earth.

Leaving honey colored trails of light on the path.

Who knows what’s to be made of our life long journey?

I may never know which destination is right for me.

Do I search for joy?

Because it is everlasting.

Or happiness?

That must come in the form of small success.

The grass tickling me with its tentacles.

Shushing the creatures and their intense chuckles.

The squirrels preparing for their winter rest.

While the flowers still awake in protest.

Who knows what’s to be made of our life long journey?

I may never know which destination is right for me

How many people will reach out to hold my hand?

Or will everyone fall through my fingers like sand?

Will I ever be the sun to someone’s flower?

Or will it always be a lonely hour?

The morning fog embracing nature with its refreshing love.

As it reaches down with its arms from the clouds from above.

This journey we take while we are still awake.

The journey we make for tomorrow’s sake.

Thump thump thump

The monotonous sound of my feet smacking the concrete

As I run down the crumbly sidewalk on Seneca Street

Tick tock tick tock

Seeing the time on my phone steadily increase

The blue lock screen illuminating my cherry red face 

Boom boom boom

The pounding of the thoughts banging around in my head

How am I not dead? I just want to be in my bed.

Fwoosh fwoosh fwoosh

The blurs of color, cars cruising past me

They seem to be getting duller, as I continue to flee

Snap snap snap

Hearing the teacher snap his fingers

Diverting my mind from the memory that still lingers

Atch atch atch

Scratching the chalk on the chalkboard

While the thoughts in my head still roared

As I sit here in sonder

I can hear the distant brontide of thunder

Pondering the life I live so carefully

Should I be moving forward so surly

The pit pat pit pat of the rain on the window

As I stare out thinking about all that I don’t know

When the teacher calls on me I must improvise

Because I sat peering out the windows in this class I despise

The darkness of the outside world provides me with a sense of tranquility

The bell ring at the end of class bringing me back to reality

The storm my panacea for the day

As I beg my thoughts to not run astray

I seem to have a pondering problem

Thinking is all that my life has become

And while it is a problem I strongly condemn

It is nothing more than all I am

Nobody could crack the code

Nobody could find the key

To defuse the bomb so it wouldn’t explode

To open the gates and set me free

Sweet like candy

But coated with a wall of salt

Your kindness came in handy

When putting my bitterness to a halt

As you slowly chipped away at my salt

To reveal what you thought was my sweetness

I was only locking my feelings in a vault

And by then I thought you would reassess

It’s been my plan all along

As my grip on you grew firmer

You’d never realize I’d already been gone for so long

You’d no longer hear my emotionless murmur

I’d make you hold on so tight

So you’d suffer just as much as I did

I’m really sorry and I hope you’re alright

I wish I could put back together the person that I so harshly undid

When I walk into class I see the gibberish on the white board again

Those lines and circles and dots

It’s everywhere I go

In books, on my phone, on tv, on signs, on walls

Bu I just can’t read it

None of it makes any sense to me

People will tell me what these lines and circles and dots mean

But it never seems to sick

Some people call me sick

But I never seem to get any better

Other people call me stupid

But I never seem to get any smarter

All because I can’t read the gibberish that they somehow always could

It’s everywhere I go

It’s in books, on my phone, on tv, on signs, on walls

No matter how much it surrounds me I just can’t read it

None of it makes any sense to me

I’ll never understand these lines and circles and dots

Those marks that people like to call words

Everyone tells me that you’re not coming back

Yet our orange tabby cat still sits by the wooden front door every day at five O’clock

waiting for you to return from work as if you’re going to walk through the door one more time

I sometimes sit and wait by the door also hoping you’ll come home one more time

That you’ll greet me and complain about how the register broke again

People know you’ve been dead for months

But every time I go to your favorite Italian restaurant they ask it I want your favorite meal

Penne vodka to take home for you because it’s what you always ordered 

I never said no and would eat it for lunch the next day

When I told them you’d passed they said your meal would be free

All of my friends encouraging me to date again

Even though your favorite song plays on the radio every time i’m in the car

I memorized every word just so I could sing it the way you did whenever you heard it

Some of the citrus smell still left in the car refresher that I stole from your car

Orange was your favorite smell and it was the only scent that you ever used

People keep telling me that it’s time to let go of the pain 

The couch still has the dent where you always sat to watch your favorite shows

And I always have the tv still on your favorite chanel when your favorite shows are on

As if your ghost is sitting there watching with me just like how it always was

I still close the curtains at 7 o’clock when the sun would just start to get in your eyes

Your whole family won’t leave me alone about cleaning up your stuff

But the stains still on your favorite coffee mug from that glittery red lipstick you loved

Hidden somewhere in the pile of makeup carelessly tossed on the bathroom counter

I haven't touched any of it because I’m afraid I’ll throw out your favorite eyeshadow pallet

So many of the shades look the same to me, but I know the yellows were your favorite

I can’t escape the cards and phone calls from people mentioning how kind you were

The batch of gluten free chocolate chip cookies for your sister still in the clear container

On the gray kitchen counter waiting to be brought to the town dinner you do on saturdays

I haven’t been able to bring myself to go because I worry they’ll miss you more than I do

But I promise I’ll bring the cookies to them someday, even if I have to make another batch

The hardest thing about giving someone space

Is that they might eventually be okay without you

Holding on to people for as long as possible

Because it’s easier to carry a heavy heart than an empty one

Not wanting to speak to them ever again

But thinking of them every day

Loving people deeply regardless of the love you get in return

Is both a great strength and a great weakness

Being held together with glitter glue

Because everybody left you

The mahogany bench that now sits empty and unused

Because I don’t play the piano anymore

I’ll never be as good as you

Every time I played you were always amused

So I taught you three songs through

Leaving me completely defenseless

While you discovered the talent that fueled your success

But I don’t play anymore

The piano key lost in a junk drawer

I can’t play without you

If only you knew

Nicknames like pumpkin and baby cakes

People saying everything we did for love was just a bunch of mistakes

If we could only have this life for one more day

Before they rip you away

I wanted to write you a song

But on the stage is where you belong

Have a good show tonight

I know those stage lights are bright

I’ve always loved you

Sincerely, Lou

Her eyes reflect the beautiful art of mother nature.

A dark Forest filled with deep secrets that I'll never know.

The kind of greens that fill vast meadows.

The smell of her warm vanilla perfume fills every room.

She's a beautiful painting made by a Renaissance artist.

But it's her addictive personality that made me fall in love with her.

The way she smiles at everyone she sees even though she hates her crooked teeth.

That smile that could grow a million flowers at once.

Her angelic voice that could captivate a whole arena.

How she walks with confidence and purpose.

She's the first person to really make me laugh.

The first person to make my stomach do flips.

The first person to kiss my lips.

How she doesn't get mad when I mess up and Instead helps me fix it.

How she doesn't feel like she needs to hold back her tears in front of me.

She's the reason people ask why I smile at my phone.

She's the kind of person people write songs about.

And she's my girl.

My girl that I'll never stop loving.

In fifty years when we're old I'll still take her on dinner dates.

Even if it's to the nursing home dining hall.

After a hundred years we'll be two ghosts floating around together causing mischief.

She’s my soulmate.

She’s the reason I believe in fate.

Walking through the halls on that first day of school knowing you look like a fool.

Trying to find your classes winding through the masses of people walking slow like molasses.

The smell of rubber erasers itching at the paper and hearing all the kids planning on ditching.

All your classmates complaining while the teacher is explaining the work pertaining to their class.

Asking about the materials you need to help you succeed.

Making your guess on which teacher you think you’ll like the best.

Seeing your friends again even though you know your friendship doesn't extend past school hours.

Telling them about your super awesome summer and how you gained some social media clout.

When you know they don’t care and you’re aware that they just want you out of their hair.

Sitting alone during lunch again reassuring yourself that you’ll find real friends at some point.

Now it’s the end of the year and it may appear that your friends are staying near.

But you know that’s not so because you’ve been through this before and you’re prepared for more.

Asking everyone to sign your yearbook before they leave to forget you over summer vacation.

Lots of H.A.G.S. and “I enjoyed (insert class name here) with you”.

But nobody gives you theirs so you're holding back tears.

Now you’re riding the bus on the last day of school and you’re wondering how June showed up so soon.

And you know you’ll have to make new friends next year because you’ve never had friendship that lasts through the summer.

School puts you in a daze because once school lets out for the summer that’s when everything becomes one big bummer.

And you’re sad because the end is near, but don’t fear, you get to do it all over again next year.

Frank the frog lives on a log

He spends his time catching flies

He’s got big round eyes

He lives on land far from sand

He likes the trees and the leaves

He plays the cello

It’s usually mellow

Reach for the moon because if you miss you’ll be among the stars.

A Volkswagon Beetle and van are my dream cars.

I want to help everyone find a wonderful home.

Paris, London, Moscow, Los Angeles, Madrid, and Rome.

I want to see the world in all of its glory.

I want to hear everyone’s story.

I know I can do so many good things.

I’ll be among all the queens and kings.

Be a voice for the people who cannot speak.

Teach people that a disability does not make someone a freak.

Help break negative societal norms.

Be part of how a young activist group forms.

You might think I’m being ambitious.

But I used to be overly surreptitious.

Join the fight for equal rights for everyone.

I’ll be dead before I’m done.

Equal rights for them does not mean less rights for you.

I have thought my entire life through.

I want to open my own store.

To help people and so much more.

Right now is where my life starts.

Because even if I fail, I’ll still be among the stars.

I guess my height is alright

Being four foot nine

People are always polite when referencing my height

But I must repine

Being four foot nine is not so sublime

When people always point it out

Saying maybe I’ll suddenly sprout

But I’m done and your comments aren’t fun

Doctor after doctor has told me this is it

That I’ve already grown my last little bit

People never believe me the first time

And I’ll be hearing your voices for a lifetime

Kids clothes are covered in glitter because they’re made for kids

I must deplore because I’m not a child anymore

Adult clothes too large and baggy

It’s hard to find clothes my size so sometimes I have to improvise

But I guess it's fine people learn to sympathize

Giving me every reason and every comparison

To try to convince me that my height is alright

But I guess it’s okay

Whatever you say

Maybe I will grow one day

Red was my favorite color

It's the color of roses and poppies and tulips

The color of watermelons and cherries and strawberries

It’s the color of love and saffron and the main character in the Angry Birds movie

But now i hate the color red

I hate it because it’s the color of blood

The blood of my older brother

The blood that I saw when I found him on the bathroom floor

I have nothing left anymore

After he was gone I fell apart

It broke my heart

Now I hate the color red

I hate it because everyone else sees it as a happy color

They see it as the color of cranberries, peppers, and ladybugs

They see it as the color of apples and rubies and autumn leaves

But to me it is the color of death

It’s the color of anger and pain

That is the reason why I hate the color red

I hate it because it reminds me of when I found him dead

A bright azure blue fading into deep oranges and yellows

Leaving behind a mellow feeling

With dappled spots of navy blue invading

Bits of pink and purple showing through

As I sit here on this rock floating through space

I watch as the sun disappears without a trace

I know it will come back tomorrow

But still I am filled with sorrow

In the night sky I see the moon

As it rises high in late June

Seeing it replace the vibrant sun

All because the day is done

In the morning I will come back here

To watch the sun reappear

Over this mountain in Illinois

As the sun fills the sky with joy

March of 2018 before I had even turned thirteen

She had fallen a few times and always needed help getting back up

So we got her a cane to ease the pain

This was the first sign that her health was on the decline

Life alert necklace resting on her chest

My intuition told me her condition was worsening

This is when I started grieving

In mid April she ended up in the hospital

I cried so hard that day

Seeing all the tubes and wires surrounding her

But they were suffocating me instead

For her it was what was best

I had no idea what was up ahead

Just waiting for results from tests

Thoughts floating around inside my head

Next came the rehab center

Hoping it would help her

After that she went home alone to an empty house

But was later joined by her best friend

Who would transcend our expectations

We decided to go away for a weekend as a family

We had to end our vacation early

Because her best friend was unable to help her get off the couch

My mom spent the next week at my grandmother’s house

Sleeping on the couch every night because she couldn’t be left alone

While she slept her body was still as stone

Her pain was palpable

My fear untouchable

I was becoming more apprehensive by the day

We decided to move her in with us

Make our dining room her bedroom

I saw her every day after school

Told her the best parts of my day

Surrounded by the progression of her regression

Watched as her memory dwindled away until she couldn’t remember her own daughter

Thinking we had gotten a dog and forgetting the house she’d lived in for so long

Fearing the day we’d stop hearing her laughter

One day she said to me “Tell Erin to take the kids to Disney” thinking I was my dad

She knew her impending fate and didn’t want to waste her money

Hospital visit, rehab center, back home, hospital, rehab, home

That was the cycle of what felt like an endless circle

The second rehab visit she couldn’t even play go fish

By mid July she knew it was coming

We all knew it we just couldn’t bear the weight of saying it out loud

Millions of medications, doctors visits, physical therapy

One medication didn’t work with another and could have caused an earlier demise

I didn’t know what demise meant when I overheard my mom say it

I think she used demise instead of death she didn’t want me to know what it meant

So I googled it and now I regret it

I can’t ever forget it

The whole time she seemed placid but always languid

I knew I couldn’t assuage the pain nor could I refrain from constant tears

After she’s been with me for all these years

The day she said no more hospitals, no more medicine, no more treatments

Was the day I knew she had accepted her fate

The few days were the hardest

Tuesday to Friday

Tuesday, August 21st until Friday, August 25th

Watching her lay on the bed, asleep because there was nothing left but a breathing body

I wonder what she was dreaming about

Was it peaceful, God I hope so, but I’ll never know

When my mom asked if I wanted to visit my cousins

I said of course I’ll go, but I didn’t know that would be the time I let her go

Staying an extra few days at my cousins house not knowing why

Until i found out she had died

Although we didn’t want to lose her I wish her death had come sooner

Put her out of her pain instead of keeping her for our gain

While cleaning out her house I was listening to music and the song Amnesia came on

And a wave of sadness came upon me

Then One Life For The Two of Us started playing

And I started crying because they reminded me of her dying

And when her birthday came the next year I cried

I cried on the anniversary of when she died

But today was the first time I have cried for her in a long time

But someone asked me to write a poem about grief

And letting it all out is a relief

And now it’s 2021 and my grieving is still not done

Because it’s really hard when you lose someone

Girls hear it at the playground in kindergarten when they get shoved around by boys.

They hear it while on vacation in places like Illinois.

They hear it in high school when a man takes a hit at her pride.

They hear it in court while their rapist is being tried.

It’s a simple excuse.

That comes with a lot of misuse.

I must say I’m not a fan.

Because what happens when that boy becomes a man.

And he no longer can use this as a valid excuse.

For different kinds of abuse.

Giving reason for rape to be left unreported.

Making them think it's ok and that their actions are justified.

That this is a free pass that allows them to harass.

How come women are always labeled young women when something goes wrong.

Always told to just go along and stay strong.

Taught that it’s their fault and that they are old enough to know better.

Locked up for years for hurting her abuser when all he did was use her.

And no, she wasn’t asking for it.

Because she didn’t say anything before he grabbed her chest.

Nobody wants to hear the rest saying she was just caressed and should have acquiesced.

But “You should know better than to provoke him. He does that sometimes. Boys will be boys.”

Those words that sting on the tip of her tongue because she’s heard them all her life.

Teaching our young girls that affection comes in the form of constant strife.

But a boy will always be a boy until he does something great.

Those big mistakes he makes won’t ruin his fate.

Even though she can’t bear the weight and still feels irate.

His punishment is less harsh because it'll ruin his career.

He gets another chance, but she still lives in fear.

That she’ll hear those words again ringing in her ear.

And when a girl does something by herself she’s lying.

She needs a man is what people are implying.

She’s still always vying for her own self-worth.

Nobody says girls will be girls.

Because we women grow up.

We grow up in a world of men who act like little boys.

Boys who expect us to have pretty curls and wear cute little pearls.

And treat us like their little toys.

And silence our protesting noise.

Because women are taught to not raise their voice.

And we learned not to treat people how men treat us.

Because boys will always be boys.

You can’t change me, so don’t try to blame me.

You don’t want ADHD, so don’t try to be me.

Having a breakdown because people always shut me down.

People don’t want my hyperactivity around.

Yet they expect my hyperfocus all the time.

Isn’t that just sublime.

I can’t meet every expectation.

Everything I do causes some sort of comotion.

New hobbies every week.

Constantly needing to speak.

People are always trying to fix me.

But never trying to fix what’s around me.

Getting angry and emotional without rationality.

Not being able to show my individuality because of people's messed up mentality.

This is my ADHD.

One, two, three eyes on me.

The thing people say when they want people’s attention.

I don’t even have to say it for people to stare at me.

Taking every move I make into consideration.

To avoid these people watching my life like a film.

I rethink and overthink every move I make and every action I take.

My chances of not being judged are slim.

I’m embarking on a journey of slake.

To keep my life hidden from those snake eyes.

Those eyes that analyze every aspect of my life.

It took so long for people to realize.

Dissecting every decision I make with a knife.

Almighty

Just like Aphrodite

Goddess of beauty

Don’t think it’s your duty

To be always skinny

You are the definition of beauty

If only you could see

Through the eyes of someone like me

And learn how to love your body

And set yourself free

Leave your legacy

As the next deity of beauty

Take your trophy

Because you are worthy

And that I can guarantee

I fell for your deception, believing I was suitable.

Thinking this was the inception of something beautiful.

A little misconception, your actions are inexcusable.

You had the tendency to abuse my empathy.

Spent all my nights putting out all our fights.

Had my memory wiped of what love is supposed to be.

The lights at the end are fading from sight.

Like a flower, they sit with people passing by.

In a dress the color of the sky.

Wearing makeup that looks like how summer feels.

Watching other people eat their pre-packed meals.

At the lunch table reading that book for the fifth time.

Inhaling the sweet scene of someone's candy scented with lime.

Someone comes up to them.

And tells them to take it off.

Because it’s not masculine enough.

As if feminine clothes are going to make you die.

Tells them to take off the dress the color of the sky.

And the makeup that looks the way summer feels.

When he sits alone watching other people eat their pre-packed meals.

But expression is fluid.

It flows like a river, always changing.

Flow like the wind on a warm spring day.

Carrying the seeds for the beautiful flowers to bloom next year.

Showing people what individuality is.

Every Friday.

They wear the blue dress. 

And the makeup that looks like how summer feels.

To show people what individuality is.

And that expression is fluid.

Like a rock, standing firm and collected.                         Like a flower, sitting calm and composed.

In the midnight blue suit of iron.       In the violet purple ball gown of clouds.

An ensemble made from soft cotton. A garment made from soft velvet.

An outfit of freedom. A dress of vulnerability.

Feeling confident. Feeling confident.

Empowering. Moving. Gay. Gross.

This is a woman. This is a man.

  I’ll bet you thought it was the other way around.

Both of them are beautiful people.

Living in a world that’s stereotype bound.

Normal is a weird word.

And apparently most people don't fit its meaning.

It means you have a mom and dad and siblings.

Who will always love you.

And lots of friends.

Who won't ever leave you.

And you're supposed to marry someone of the opposite gender and have kids.

And you should lead the life of practicality and predictability.

You must always impress.

You need to have good mental stability.

A life that guarantees success.

Normal is a weird word.

But I don't know many "normal" people.

The definition of normal is blurred.

And for a word built for normal people.

There sure are a lot of not normal people.

Dress coded at school yesterday.

Dress coded again today.

For an exposed shoulder.

For not dressing like it’s colder.

The dress code is sexist.

I shouldn’t have to follow a clothing checklist.

To keep myself protected.

Women’s bodies are sexualized.

Change the way our boys are being raised.

For the bare minimum, men get praised.

That will make an impact.

Shoulders shouldn’t distract.

Guy’s bodies aren’t “distracting”.

Schools think girl’s bodies are enchanting.

Because guys don’t wear “revealing clothes”.

The dress code is sexist is what this shows.

Why don’t we teach guys to watch their eyes.

Why don’t we teach guys to respect their future wives.

Girls think it’s their fault.

Clothes aren’t the reason for assault.

I went to school yesterday.

I got dress coded for showing my shoulders.

Again.

Because the dress code is sexist.

I know that for a fact.

Because girls' shoulders are “distracting”, but guys' shoulders aren’t.

And because women’s bodies are so sexualized that it’s become normal.

I went out to dinner last week.

A 60 year old man whistled at me.

Again.

Because men are taught that the display of a woman's body is for their pleasure.

I know that for a fact.

Because women have always done things for men.

And because women’s bodies are so sexualized that it's become normal. 

I was at the pool last summer.

Someone pointed out my body hair.

Again.

Because men want women to look as young as possible even if it’s a minor.

I know that for a fact.

Because a Gillette campaign made after world war I said that women’s body hair is unhygienic.

And because women’s bodies are so sexualized that it's become normal. 

I rode the subway a few days ago.

I got catcalled.

Again.

Because men are taught that it's okay to comment on a woman's body.

I know that for a fact.

Because nothing bad happens to them when they do, so they don't care.

And because women's bodies are so sexualized that it's become normal.

I was at a protest today.

A man came up and touched me.

Again.

Because he thought my clothes were the consent he needed.

And I know that for a fact.

Because men think the display of a woman's body is good until it isn't for their pleasure.

And because women's bodies are so sexualized that it's become normal.

I’m going out late at night tomorrow.

I’m worrying about my safety and what’s going to happen to me next.

Again.

Because men don’t usually see me for my personality, but instead for my body.

And I know that for a fact.

Because I’m a human and no human should have to be scared like that.

And because women's bodies are so sexualized that it's become normal.

Eat more, but that’s too much

Too fat, too skinny

Never enough

Not enough coverage, but now you’re hiding your beauty

Put it on, take it off

Never enough

Dress how you want, but that looks ugly

Asking for it, hiding your body

Never enough

Be happy with yourself, but others don’t like it

For yourself, for everyone else

Never enough

For you

But always enough

For me

You've always been here.

Whenever I needed you most.

Even if you're "gone" to others.

It doesn't mean you aren't still here.

It doesn't mean that I'm not sad.

It doesn't mean that I don't miss you.

It doesn't mean that I don't love you.

With all of my heart.

And I never lost you.

Because I know I don't have to feel bad.

And I know I don't have to blame myself.

But as your closest friend.

I'm still sad.

I still miss you.

And I still love you.

With all of my heart.

Just as much as I did the last time I saw you.

We were together.

Laughing.

Smiling.

Talking.

For the last time.

Sitting in the creaky hospital bed.

With all those tubes and wires around us.

And the oxygen mask over your face.

Because they couldn't figure out what was wrong.

Eating the gooey hospital cinnamon rolls.

That you loved.

You ate them every day you spent there.

You were telling me how far away the end was.

Even though I knew it was coming.

Knowing that visiting hours were almost over.

Begging to the staff to let me stay the night.

Because I knew you weren't going to make it this time.

Crying so hard.

Because I had to leave you alone.

With all those tubes and wires around you.

And the oxygen mask over your face.

Because they couldn't figure out what was wrong.

I cried so hard that night.

For the first time.

Because I thought that losing you meant losing me.

And as your closest friend.

I still haven't lost you.

Nor have I lost myself.

And I'm sitting by your grave.

Laughing.

Smiling.

Talking.

With your ghost.

For the hundredth time.

About the plans we made.

To see the world together.

Eating the gooey cinnamon rolls.

That you loved.

In memory of you.

And all the times we ate them together.

Forgetting that night at the hospital.

And all the sad days we spent there together.

And how I cried for the last time.

Because I promised myself something.

I promised myself that I wouldn't lose myself to the pain.

Because you've always been here.

But that doesn't mean I'm not sad.

It doesn't mean I don't miss you.

It doesn't mean I don't still love you.

With all of my heart.

Just as much as the first time I saw you.

When you sat with me at lunch.

On the third day of school.

Because I was sitting alone.

Even though your friends told you not to

Peace and violence

Two very different things

They both want change

But only one does good

One comes with good

The other comes with destruction and fear

One comes with change

The other comes with damage

BLM protests were peaceful

and yet authorities used force

People wore masks and didn't get violent

Until the police showed up

The riot at the Capitol building was violent

And yet authorities stood by

People didn't wear masks and didn't stay calm

Even when the police showed up

The BLM protests were there to create change

After the death of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor

After the death of many others who died

People who died because of something they couldn't change

The riot was to prevent a new president

After the president refused to loose the election

After the president told people to not trust their government

A government made by we the people for the people

Teargas canisters

Rubber bullets

Many deaths

Started peaceful, ended violent

Windows were broken

Bombs were found

Four people died

Started violent, ended violent

Yes there were riots for the BLM movement

But authorities made an effort to intervene

Yes there were calm protests against the election outcome

But they are never talked about

Started peaceful, ended violent

Because this is about race

And a few people went too far

But police said everyone

Started violent, ended violent

Because this is about winning and losing

And most people went too far

But police took hours to help

Peace and violence

Two very different things

They both want change

But only one does good

Grey and white paws.

Sticking out of the navy blue blanket.

They're mine.

It's a very fluffy blanket.

My human wraps it around me all the time.

I like it a lot.

It's comfortable.

I'm on the brown leather couch.

With dents where the people like to sit.

My human is sitting next to me.

He's very pretty.

He has warm golden brown skin.

With pretty colors around his eyes that aren't always there.

And shiny dangly things on his ears that swing around a lot.

He's staring at a big moving picture.

I think it's called a movie.

And it's sitting on a big table.

I prefer to look out the window.

Small white dots falling from the sky.

Covering everything.

They look kinda soft and fluffy.

My human says that it's cold.

And that I'm not supposed to go out there.

I've already done that a few times.

I do not recommend it.

But I do recommend taking a nap in that soft yellow chair.

It has my fur all over it.

So does the couch.

And everything else.

My human's favorite friend is here as well.

That's what he calls her.

She's my favorite human too.

She has pretty eyes and short coiled hair.

A golden colored shirt and dark jeans.

She's sitting on the couch.

In one of the dents.

With me in her lap.

Still in the blue blanket.

Watching the moving picture.

Together.

Too skinny they say. 

Too skinny

Eat more they say

Eat more

Eat, eat, eat

Now they overeat

Because they're "too skinny"

Too fat they say

Too fat

Start a diet they say

Say start a diet

Diet, diet, diet

Now they don't eat

Because they're "too fat"