the princess saves herself in this one

that is what abuse is:
knowing you are
going to get salt
but still hoping for sugar

i’m sorry
if i
wasn’t
the daughter
you had
in mind.
- i only ever wanted to make you proud.

that is what abuse is:
knowing you are
going to get salt
but still hoping for sugar
for nineteen years.

when you’re taught to see the world through fire, nothing looks safe.

words should save, not burn.

there are

some mothers

who will warn you

to never ever

(ever ever)

touch the stove,

but there are

some mothers who

will drag you right to it

when i had
no friends
i reached inside
my beloved
books
& sculpted some
out of
12 pt
times new roman.
- & it was almost good enough.

girl
faced with the
difficult task
of learning to
believe in
herself.

i’m not scared

of the monsters

hidden underneath

my bed.

i’m much more scared

of the boys

with messy brown hair,

sleepy eyes,

& mouths

that only know

how to form

half-truths.

- my dragons.

when
my dragon
with the
green eyes
left,
i
took
a knife
& cut off
all my long,
pretty hair,
taking away
the only thing
he
ever
loved
about
me.
- over before it began