the ugly ones.

we cry alone.

so no one sees.

we hope no one knows.

but we do.

we know.

it's our hope

that hurts so much.

it's our dreams

that we didn't choose

that burn us

and crack our hearts open

and shatter us on the floor.

we know each other.

the thread is sown

through all of us.

we are

the marked

and the broken.

someday...

someday

we will find love.

someday

we will feel safe.

someday

we will live.

we believe

through it all

that our time

will come.

we smile

from our hearts

and we feel it

in our souls.

someday

we

the ugly ones

will live

in a world

meant for us.

in a world

that loves us.

in a world

that cares.

in a world

where we can be

just who we are.

...

element.

outside the gates

where it is dark

and cold

and damp

is where we stand

there is no shelter

and it is dirty

this is where we belong

with broken nails

and broken teeth

holes in our clothes

and empty bellies

here

every breath is real

we stand

back to back

to protect

what little we have

we work hard

for every penny

and everything costs

more than we've got

we're slipping

but we're not

giving up

we've survived this long

with only hope

of one more day

and as each comes

we turn more

grey

but we smile

and we laugh

and it means

everything

because at least

it's for real

...

packed and waiting.

paint me a picture

here
in black and white
tell me of all the things

you feel

of all those things

that make you

smile

and

cry

i am here

and i am asking

please

don't be shy

don't be

afraid

don't make me have to

read between

the lines

although

i'm sure i will

anyway

because i will

always

want to know more

forget the past

you are already inside

me

and i

am already inside

you

tell me about

now

tell me about what

you want

tell me about what

you need

these minutes

these days

these years

seem so long

when we are apart

but

we don't have

forever

and tomorrow

may be one day

too late

i'll wait

and even if i die here

it will be because

i love you

...