Writing

018751 this was the lunch code I was given 
My first day of third grade 
My teacher wrote on my hand 
With a green marker that smelled like berries 

018751 this was the passcode for my first email 

Concealing Comfort:

The day I saw you

Hanging there,

I knew we’d be the best of friends.

Bought you in a flash,

The fish are back. The first thing I see when I open my eyes is two of them fighting, hovering just below the popcorn ceiling. Well, that’s a development, at least. I yawn and rub the crustiness out of the corners of my eyes.

Strength in Sacrifice

Shining in the moonlight,

I knew you would be right.

Stones that shimmered,

Love that glimmered,

I scroll through the options

Endless rows

And rows

And rows

Of smileys

And animals

And faces

And people

And things.

I scroll through the multicolored hearts

The laughing faces

The world would have cried

From any other side

No matter the victor

No matter the lies.

Misinformed, unaligned

You think it's the first time?

Honestly, so gullible