per tenebras lucem quaero

when you turn thirteen and want to paint your nails black I’ll rummage through an old drawer and give you my own polish. when you look at me and say, “momma, I’m lost.” I’ll turn you towards the mirror and say, “run darlin’, don’t ever let them find you.” when the first day of high school comes and you hurry to get out of the car with nerves in hand I’ll tell you, “don’t run, walk slow. you’ll make it through.” when you go on your first date I’ll remember my first date. I’ll remember the look on my own mother’s face when he didn’t open my car door and baby, if he doesn’t open the car door remember your momma saying, “he doesn’t get to open anything else either.” one day that boy will break your heart and when you lock yourself in your room I’ll buy you a journal, a brand new pen, a 2 liter of strawberry soda and a potted violet with a note saying something like, “white oleanders are poisonous and so is heartache. violets symbolize something that I’ve since forgotten and strawberry soda drowns the salt in your tears.” one day you’ll pack your things, I’ll write you letters and send you candles in the mail. you’ll marry young or maybe old. you’ll have a daughter of your own and watch the sun rise in her eyes. just remember to never look up what violets symbolize and when she looks at you with tears in her eyes saying, “momma, I’m lost.” turn her towards the mirror and say, “run darlin’, don’t ever let them find you.”

we’re so close to revealing which state is the most homophobic

Don’t sit and wait. Get out there, feel life. Touch the sun, and immerse in the sea.

Here’s a thought -

Stop;