Your words are no clearer when you scream.

Your point is no sharper when you shout.

And when your eyes are holding that gleam

all I want is to turn and walk my way out.

The funny thing is I wasn’t arguing with you

I had no intention of starting this fight

my only mistake was keeping my claims true

when all you wanted was to hear you’re right.

And when I’m sitting there seeing hysterics

because we’ve veered a little off course

at this point the charade is only generic

when you steer as you shriek yourself hoarse.

And I’ve done my best through these years

to reach some high point where I’ll meet

the demands that I’ve fought for with tears

through the sweltering of your anger’s heat.

But I’m tired now, it’s been too long for

me to keep living in this crushing way

and I’ve realized what you’ve done with your

jamming my feelings, belittling them away.

A part of me is stunted, maybe it will heal

or maybe not – but ultimately I now see

I’ve worked out a new way, a new deal

wherein I’ll focus on me being free.

I love you – I’ll always love you, no matter

the cost, but I have to save myself before

what’s left of me falls to the ground to shatter

and I can’t keep living for you anymore.

And in the end I must say I am sorry

that I never managed to step in and satisfy

your needs so that you would be happy

and your wants I could never fully gratify.

But you’ve taught me something, really

to be level-headed, to keep myself grounded

when things get tougher – I become steely

from all the times your words have pounded.

You’ve equipped me fully to keep my feet

firmly planted on the ground and to know

things aren’t black and white and to greet

each difference and obstacle with a show

of understanding.

You see I’ve learned from you

and in the end I have joy

In knowing that I -

I will never -

be you.

It was cold, and getting colder. The temperature hovered just above freezing, but didn’t feel like it. I was all decked in knitted goods: hat, hand warmers, a scarf around my nose. I would move the scarf to take a sip of cocoa and then pull it back up again before I wound up like Rudolf.

The house had heating. The house was cozy and full of abandoned fleeces waiting to be picked up. I could have gone in, but I didn’t. It was worth the cold because of the horizon. The snow, unblemished by feet, was pristine. The sun painted the sky first in pink, then in gold, and then orange and red, ever darkening. The colors reflected off of the whiteness in subtle hints and hues. The clouds gave it all dimension, soaking up the rays with their fluffy underbellies.

I suppose this would be the part where I pick up a camera and snap pictures. The part where I try to cement the memory with cheap knockoffs. But sometimes you just have to enjoy the little things, the short things, while they last. Sometimes you should let them happen and admire them while they do, and let them pass with grace when it’s time for them to go.

And so I watched, motionless, as the sun glided down from on high and artfully painted the sky.

Hi Uni,

My baby needs her best nest.

Are you available to help?

Uni Buddha laughs

We know.

Just give us a sec.

I say uni, she's the brightest star I've met in this life.

You will always care for her right?

Uni says yes, always.

Have you seen how she soars?

Grace is written on her chest.

A soul in the door.

I say I mean DUH

I know YOU know who she is and what she deserves

And this praying is somewhat absurd.

But I must shoot this love somewhere it's just too much to hold in

Uni says good child

Let it fly like a deep three for the win!

I say ok good cause baby needs best home you got

And we really are under the wire.

Uni says

You know she loves testing her powers.

Under the wire is good it fuels her fire!

I say ok I feel good then.

Uni says now go be the birds on the wire.

Sing your freedom song

You two know it best in c minor.

I say I promise we will sing forever, I'm surely not gonna get any shyer.

Uni says apartments are one thing But the people are ready now.

Turn your attention towards understanding the creation of fire.