The sun rises-
as does the Light within me.
A golden hand strokes the face of day.
I hear Shadow burst into the room -
a truth that will never stray.

It rests in my body,
and I know it will make me suffer.
Shadow will ask Light to dance.
It will forever hover.

They intertwine,
dance the day away -
kiss, and drink wine,
until the stars come out to play.

I rise with Light,
but Shadow knows my name.
It does not leave.
It does not stray.
Together -
they settle in the corners of my flame.
For Light, it loves like no other.

Every breath I draw,
is a battle I win.
I am made of both-
sun and sorrow,
clarity and confusion,
strength and salt.

Shadow does not hate me,
nor I it.
It allows me my joy,
reminds me of all the bits.
None of them are cruel -
„This too is part of you.“

And so, Light & Shadow
live happily ever after.

An orange flower
Sways in the wind,
Like the curl that falls across your forehead.
I am reminded of the shape
Of your eyes,
The curve of your hips,
Your smile in the sun.

One day,
I‘ll hold your hand
While you carry a little version of you -
And my life will be absolute.
It’ll be all of you,
All of me,
Cradled in your arms,
Always.

We learn to hold hands with life.
Through good times
And bad.
She doesn’t sugarcoat,
Yet she loves
In her own way.

But when you looked me
In the eye
And said you wanted to die -
To let go of her grasp,
I saw her cry
And beg for your forgiveness.

A wound I mistook for healed
Opened itself last night
I slipped and spiraled
In my skin,
And I remembered what it was like
To be fourteen again,
And miserable with every glance
In the mirror
—
Oh teenage girl,
I wish I could love you
Into healing
I long to soothe you
Into breathing
For now,
I keep you shut
In the back of a dusty drawer
One day,
I‘ll learn to love you

I wish nothing more
Than to be understood,
To be seen for what I am -
My truest form.
Why do you reject me?

I am not in need of anyone‘s approval.
Yet, it seems silly and meaningless
To live life without someone loving
All parts of me.
I long for commitment,
An interest to my soul
And all that comes with it.
Or is the longing itself that‘s foolish?

Worry is the constant of my life, it has accompanied me in big and small moments - forever familiar to my body. It has feasted on my self-doubt, my fearfulness and my uncertainty. It has ruined my self-confidence - ****** the life out of me in the same breath.

No amount of self-help books or breathing techniques can cut Worry from my limbs. It has grown roots in my heart, my lungs and my brain. It has become a part of me, and I am otherwise incomplete.

I feel it all of the time - judging me, manipulating me, stealing my joy in moments meant to be my happiest.

Oh, how I wish to put it down, like a glass of water. Chug it. Swallow it. Forget all about it.