moonriseee

Once upon a time,

There was a little girl

Barely above the age of 7

Forcing her eyes

To stay open

Awaiting the new year

The little girl

Was excited

She believed

Everything would work out

George Washington

Alexander Hamilton

Thomas Jefferson

John Jay

John Adams

James Madison

And more

We have monuments

To honor these people

A musical for one

A statue for another

When I was little, we lived in Philly. Seven hours from where we live now, eight counting the time allotted for rest stops. And a little ways down the sidewalk from our house was this tree.

It ended with roses.

I process the funeral in snatches.

Glimpses, even.

I see my family spilling out into the cemetery

Long-lost cousins twice-removed,

Great granduncles,

With the crashing tide,

And wisps of wind, 

Rain melts all there was. 

And all that will ever be. 

As water rises in the sea. 

It's been a long time since I have felt truly at ease with my friends

Since I've been able to laugh freely, smile easily, and be unapologetically myself

But now I have found people who make me feel accepted and celebrated