S.Y. Liu

We lie inches apart, 
faces turned from one another, 
like two commas in the same sentence 
that never connect. 

The walls utter gossip at night.
They watch new women pass,
different steps, new perfumes,
claiming corners they'll never own.

We are told this is a free country ... 

But that's until someone speaks their mind 

That's until someone points out someone's differences 

I dread going to school every single day.

I hate it,

I hate being trapped there.

But I love being greeted by my best friend

who could make hell

feel as freezing as

these February Maryland mornings.

every once in a while,

the sky gets tired

and hides its face behind

hands of light gray clouds.

it sighs in quiet thunder,

and lets tears of blue

slip loose, trailing softly down