I want to make a statement,
A record,
A public declaration.

I want to speak
Words that can’t be stolen,
Words that can’t be painted over.

I want to say
What needs to be said,
The truths I hope
Will be heard.

Because I tried everything else—
I tried to speak softly,
Quietly, privately,
And watched each word
Denied, disguised, justified

Watched as my character
Was picked apart,
My voice locked up
With the truths I tried to share.

Now I am restless
With this need—
A desire that will not let me go
Until I make my statement,
My record,
My public declaration.

I will forget you
and be happy.
Or—at least—
I wish
I could forget you
and be happy.

If only
you were
forgettable,
instead of
staining my
head
and my heart

with the
cold
impressions
of you.

She speaks cannon *****
and good morning blues.
She speaks sweet lilies
and rosebuds in June.

She speaks soft
as little light beams.
She speaks rainbows
over tall evergreens.

She speaks sonnets
and low melodies.
She speaks quietly—
freedom, over me.

Sweet words drip with lies,
their evil disguises hide behind
the kindest eyes.

You promised me you loved me
like a sister or a brother—

then you turned your backs
and left me,
as you ran for cover.

What is it you're hiding under?
Is there space for me too?
Would I have to,
sacrifice another
just to be with you?

I love you like
fire and bumblebees,
more than starfish
or summertime,

as high as
the edge of the skies,
as deep as
the woods at night.