they / them / he

People don’t change, Diane, not really.

Mr. Peanutbutter's a Zelda. He's happy and he's carefree and he's loving, but you and me, we're Zoes.

We're Zoes, Diane.

We're cynical and we're sad and we're mean.”

i thought we couldnt be beautiful

because all i ever saw

was a boy with a girl

and a girl with a boy

i thought we couldnt be beautiful,

at least not as beautiful as them.

i thought we couldnt be beautiful

that my hand in your hand

was not enough.

i thought we couldnt be beautiful

because your body

was way too similar to mine.

i thought we would never be beautiful,

nor loved, nor enough. nor sacred, nor

super. nor ever even nearly as normal.

but i was wrong, because we are.

it’s all a joke, this mad life.

you’re as beautiful as the scent of cupcakes,

i used to meet her everyday

at noon, right after school,

and we would talk about our days

and the things we had been through.

i used to meet her everyday

and it was bitter, but so worth it,

having to be careful of the gazes

that at times surrounded us.

i used to meet her everyday,

and sometimes we would fight,

winter was cold enough to freeze our young hearts

and what’s frozen is easily broken.

i used to meet her everyday.

eventually, she got sick of me.

why cant i hate you? i wonder, sometimes,

please read me a poem

i won’t ask for anything else

please read me a poem

that’s all it takes for me to fall;

please read me a poem

please read me your love,

at loud,

through the lines of an author.

please read me a poem

but dont try to read me through

just read those inky words

heavy like thousands of skulls;

please read me a poem

and i promise