The door knob was cold against her flesh. She slowly turned it and pushed open the door. As soon as the door was open, a rush of cool air poured out of the dark room. She stepped inside.

The room was calm and quite. Faux wood blinds prevented sunlight from entering the tranquil place. As she walked towards the bed, she sighed deeply and a small tear formed in her eye. She sat on the bed.

The pillow that she held in her arms was soft and comforting. She blinked her eyes and the small crystal trickled down the side of her face. When it hit the surface of the pillow, the tear drop was immediately absorbed. She lowered her head into the pillow and continued to think. Memories flashed through the corridors of her mind. She closed her eyes.

The squeak that came from the corner of the room was soft and fragile. However, it was loud enough to awaken her from the trance that she had slipped into. She immediately recognized the sound; she stood up and walked towards the faint cries. No food, no water.

That morning the hamster died, and her son started kindergarten.

my love,
you are the only one
for me
the brightest star in the sky
they'll see
us shining from afar
they'll know that you are
beautiful

fair as the moon
clear as the sun
terrible as
an army with banners
my love

my words
could not express to you
my love
a precious crown crafted up
above
two hearts entwined as one
purified by the sun
so beautiful

I sat down beneath a tree and unzipped my backpack. The soft green grass was moist, and the coolness of the shade was pleasant. While I looked through my bag for a book, little yellow flowers fell from above. After shuffling around objects in my backpack, I found the book and began to read.

My eyes moved over each word on the page, and each word rolled around in my mind. I didn't just want to see the words; I wanted to comprehend what I was reading. The giant clock mounted on the wall of the science building chimed. Despite my best efforts, distraction prevailed and I set down the book.

People walked by quickly. They did not know that I was there in the grass watching. One man moved his legs in a rhythmic pattern. His mind seemed occupied. One hand held a coffee; the other hand was pressed against the side of his face. His mouth opened and closed, and his eyes did not stray to the left or to the right. I don't think he was listening, because he never stopped talking.

The wind softly turned the pages of the book. As I picked a flower out of my hair, I watched some people in the distance. The man, woman, and child walked towards me. I recognized the lady. I took one of her classes a few quarters ago. She didn't seem to see me, and she continued walking with her family.

I picked up the book again. My eyes moved over each word.

"Hey!"

I looked up and saw the girl. For just a brief moment, the hands on the giant clock stopped moving, the wind died down, and the little yellow flowers floated in mid-air. I took a deep breath, and the flowers rushed down to the ground.

I replied, "yes?"

As she slowly lifted her hand to her mouth, her ring finger and pinky finger tucked behind her palm. She pressed the two remaining fingers on her lips.

"Do you have a..."

Oh no... I hate smoking.

i'm sick of saying
"i'm tired of doing
the same thing all over
and over again"

i'm trying
still dying
inside

but trying
only leads
to nowhere

look, an incision
your shell splits
the baby breaks out
of the cocoon
lick up the honey
stuck in it?

oh, boy
you're such an ugly butterfly

wings not like eagles
broken legs
your mandibles are
covered with trash
capture the queen
make more eggs