I smell rain and wet pavement
and sun
As I dance and I float
and I run
I hear laughter and cries
and song
As the sky’s colors bleed
into dawn
I watch as purples and pinks
fade away
As calm blue settles
over the day
I feel fresh air and dirt
underneath
As the spring I’ve so missed
breaks through the trees
I taste sweet berries and love
on my tongue
As freedom and bliss burn through me
like ***

That little red dress
I don it for you
Not to impress
To dazzle the room

I float and I dance
Pulling you in
Unsteady in your stance
The lights shine dim

The way I move
Like liquid sin
Our bodies speak truth
As it’s always been

That little red dress
You’re nervous to touch
I yearn for the feel
Of your body so much

The silk dances with me
Higher and higher
Your eyes flash with hunger
Tragic and dire

My lips painted red
Eyes blue like the sea
I’m willing to bet
You’re picturing me

That little red dress
Discarded on the floor
A mess of sin and silk
We’re touching core to core

Deep and desperate
We’re burning bright
Prayed and manifested
For this summer night

She stands in the mirror
All curls and fake smiles
Wishing to be recognized
Or wishing that she dies

The practiced words “I’m good, and you?”
Rolling from red lips
A mind that doesn’t know the truth
A heart shattered to bits

What is good?
What is bad?
What is life?
She asks

Am I good?
Am I bad?
Am I alive?
She asks

A life is a pulse
A heartbeat, right?
Then why do I feel
Like I’m dead inside?

She stands in the mirror
All ruffles and skirts
Pleasing her narrative of life
Pleasing, although it hurts

A pretty corpse
With pretty clothes
Pretty hair
With pretty bows

You look at her
And see her pure
Innocent
And kind

She looks at herself
And sees hatred and pain
Maggots and flies
Behind beautiful eyes

You call her an angel
She calls herself rotten
You think she is seen
She feels she’s forgotten

By heaven and hell
Forgotten alike
No place to go
No place to die

So she stands in the mirror
Trapped in reflection
By the imagined curse
Of imperfection

Lustful eyes
And hateful gazes,
Admiration,
Disdainful faces.
For youth and for beauty —
Jealous and vain —
But hate can’t reach me
As I shake my mane.
Animals of pride and lust,
Craving for control…
But I’m my own. You’ll never have me —
A taste, but never whole