rishi_jraman256

to the people who said,
“love yourself,”
like it was as involuntary,
as effortless as 
breathing
and exhaling the insecurity,
this is what 
she has to say:

all of the reflective surfaces

the flag dangled down,
flowed in stripes of red and white;
the children gathered around,
admired the stars, which embroidered
a dull navy blue of the night.

“I pledge allegiance to the flag . . .”

He was the antidote to her ailment,
The lover who freed her from strife,
Whose touch ignited ecstasy,
Who gave calmness to her life.

The shame, torture, and pain,
And memories of melancholy regret,

Words on a pearl sheet
Teardrops of a broken world
The downpour remains