I wake up and the fingers on my right hand are

Numb.

That fuzzy, black and white TV noise feeling

courses through my veins.

Are my nerves dying?

Agonizing mood swings,

wild nausea, the headaches like someone is

playing whack-a-mole in my head,

in my bones, and I was never given the choice

to grab the mallet.

Maybe it’s simply the Universe,

making it even for that time when I was 6 and

hit my l...

Dear Marie,

       Since I’m not allowed to speak to you, this letter will have to do. They tie my arms like shoelaces whenever I leave my room, afraid I’ll try to hang myself like a clock that has chimed too many times. 189 days I’ve been here and I spend every moment thinking of you.

I didn’t want to hurt you, I just wanted to cut open your chest and see your heart beat from the inside. I wa...

This 8 year girl already has her sassy lips pursed.

No-way-am-I-listening-to-you-mom-

You-have-no-idea-what’s-cool-in-elementary-school-anymore.

Her older sister is sitting next to her and tries too hard. 

Goes for the “mysterious-sexy-broken-girl” persona.

Dark make up,

dark boots,

dark smiles.

I want to tell her she is already perfect. 

The boy who I see twice a week,

wears camo, like usual.

We ...

Sometimes I look at my brother

and he is not my brother

But a stranger,

A lean, muscled man,

25, the height of youth and energy, vitality -his presences radiates joy,

Finds the best in everything

Is unstoppable.

He’s building the life he wants,

effortlessly charismatic and charming,

He runs marathons and flys to Japan

Sometimes I have to remind myself he is not the small boy

Running thro...