Metaperception

I cannot afford to 

concern myself with 

how you see me 

because I know 

what it feels like going

from undesirable

to undeniable 

while at the same time

learning how to live

comfortably in my own skin

maybe that's why

you see me sitting alone

I've come to realize that

at this very moment

loving myself matters 

more than ever before

regardless of how

I'm being seen

knowing that I've yet

to reach my final form

means more to me

because it's supposed to

some may call it ego

I just call that growth

everyone should have 

that burning desire to

be better than 

they were yesterday

inspiration is one thing

but you can't always 

rely on others to

help fan the flames

especially when 

you're the fire

at least that's how 

I see myself 

© 2025

L.O.V E.S. Notes: Whatever

Nowadays 
I find myself 
sitting on the edge
of the rooftop 
for a different reason 
so I can get a better view 
of the rest of you
I really hate to be 
the bearer of bad news 
but some of you 
don't look the same 
or even sound the same
as you did 
when I was down there 
maybe it's just me
but I get it 
circumstances

<3

© 2025

L.O.V.E. Notes: Bedtime

You've seen me smile

Lord knows 

I try my best 

to keep it together

but more than anything

for better or for worse

I'm human 

some days aren't going to be

what I hope them to be 

no matter how much I try

and Lord knows I try

loving what you do

doesn't mean it's going to

show you the same love 

when you need it most

in those moments 

smiling is necessary 

but when I go home

and I'm alone with 

so much on my mind

I lay there in silence 

letting my thoughts 

speak for me

when really 

I want to use my voice

being heard would suffice

that and a hug also

I deserve one

Lord knows I do

<3

© 2025

 

L.O.V.E. Notes: Forty-One

Unbothered

you think so 

maybe she's just

biding her time

patiently waiting

it's not like any of you

come with a disclaimer

a full disclosure

or even a spoiler warning

that'd be too easy

so here she sits

with her thoughts

reflecting has become

part of her daily growth

how else is she going 

to avoid repeating 

past mistakes 

and by mistakes 

that means allowing 

individuals 

orbiting her galaxy

unaligned 

to occupy space

maybe that's how

she lost her smile before

and why she feels

depleted 

imagine this

a face full of stars

but not one of them

shining as bright

as they should

never again 

will she feel like that

giving so much 

yet so little in return

there's too much 

at stake to be

unbothered 

she has one goal in mind

to restore the feeling

<3

© 2025

L.O.V.E. Notes: Travel Light

They blame you for the silence 

whatever helps them sleep at night 

but you shouldn't lose sleep at all

it wasn't you who acted differently

everyone has their own life to live 

so you certainly didn't blame them 

when they chose to ignore you 

that must've been a difficult time 

yet here they are casting aspersions 

do you think they're fully aware

just how long you've been in this space

holding on to things you are 

desperately trying to let go of 

it's great that they're at a place

where life has shown them grace

but if that's not where life is for you

it's okay to travel in the dark

as long as you see yourself in the light

don't take their words too personally

you're basically strangers at this point

maybe they'll see you differently one day

or maybe they'll never know 

the same silence they blame you for

is the silence you suffered alone in

so if you never hear from them again

think of it as one less bag to carry 

on your way to where you

always knew you would be 

<3

© 2025

Save Face

Abuelita 

life was much easier

when I could stop by 

see your face 

cry in your arms

and tell you anything 

no matter what

but you've been gone 

for some time now 

so the only face

I can see is my own

abuelo used to say

pressure can burst pipes

or make diamonds

he's been gone a lot 

longer than you have

nevertheless

I promised not to

let either of you down

maybe that's why 

I struggle so much

am I trying too hard 

or not hard enough 

both feel the same 

if I give up now though 

what would become of

not just your legacy 

but my own

© 2025

L.O.V.E. Notes: Smear Campaign

When things don't go 

the way you imagined 

or hoped they would

disappointment 

it's not a good feeling 

you've tried everything

blending in 

standing out

nothing seems to work 

do you even know 

who you are

at this moment in time

do you even know

where you go from here

your own reflection

has questions

not because of 

what you've done

but because of 

what you've become

unrecognizable 

© 2025