Part II

It's not easy though

being the face of a revolution

the things I see

on a daily basis

make me question

if this world is worth saving

and if I can help save it

from those who

look like me 

but look to destroy

rather than help rebuild

how long do I keep fighting

there's just so much stupidity 

so much willful ignorance 

maybe I should just

stay focused on 

my own personal growth 

in hopes of inspiring 

others to do the same

at least then it would

feel like there's hope

I shouldn't have expectations 

they only mean to disappoint

and I've been disappointed before

probably will be again

is that reason enough to quit

not after all I've been through

but I have those moments

when I look to the sky

hoping the energy of 

the universe still favors me

I really do hope so

because I need that 

more than ever

it's exhausting down here

humanity is exhausting

© 2021

Unscripted

I used to care what

you thought of me 

when you saw my scars

the look of disgust

spoke volumes

and I would look at you

unbothered 

now you only see my face

but the look is still there

either you don't care enough

to take the time to know

or it's just easier to assume

so it doesn't really matter

I still stand here

unapologetic 

but I get it now

you're so fixated on my face

that you have no idea 

what you're looking at 

people have been trying 

to figure me out for years

some have tried to silence me

for speaking on injustices 

others only mention

to appear interested

but here I am 

unafraid

fighting for peace

while refusing to keep quiet

and since you're still so 

fixated on my face 

let me introduce you to

the face of a revolution

unyielding 

and I still don't care

what you think of me 

© 2021

Cost of Living

I had to die

but not on the inside

at least not completely 

that was my biggest fear

after everything

dying completely 

without knowing 

if I could feel 

the way I once felt

but now I know

I accept it 

forever grateful 

just for the opportunity

to feel something real 

not everyone can say that

but what's next 

there's no rebuilding 

no second chances 

for the third time 

my happiness lies in 

helping others feel

I just hope they don't make 

the same mistakes I did 

maybe this is why 

a part of us has to die 

so that we discover 

who we're truly meant to be 

but all I found was  

a pain that I wouldn't 

wish on anyone 

I guess it's the price I paid 

for expensive taste 

© 2021

Toxic Positivity

Many have a fear of failure

and they give in to that fear

by telling themselves

failure is not an option

when not only is it an option 

it plays a part in the success

and growth of an individual 

I myself wasn't trying to fail

but I accept that fact that I did

there's nothing wrong with 

validating those feelings

knowing that you're just 

being honest with yourself

it's not about being negative

bad things happen to us all

we're told not to think about it

or just try to stay positive 

sometimes we tell ourselves that

rather than describing

what it is we're feeling

to someone who's listening

and may actually understand

were we're coming from 

how long can we deny the truth

especially when it's our truth

clichés don't do it for me anymore

that's not being negative

dismissing what we truly feel

that's what really hurts us

maybe we don't fear failure 

as much as we fear embracing

ourselves completely

© 2021

Lo Que Soy

I'm a ghost 

disguised as an angel

but also an angel

disguised as a dream

I offer light

by helping people 

see in themselves

what has always been there

all while being haunted 

by a reality

I refuse to fully accept 

not when my passion

my energy 

and my fire burns as

bright as it ever has

maybe it's all for nothing

or maybe it's the only way 

this ghost can find peace

on the other side

by helping people

I can't change who I am 

whether I'm a ghost 

an angel 

or even a dream

© 2021

Bury Them

Nightmares 

enemies of my dreams

antagonists of sleep 

keeping thoughts of the past

relevant in the present

crippling my chances

of a better future

because when I wake up

I remember everything

the rejections

how they made me feel

and how I feel now

being told things like

please don't like me

I don't do relationships

or I can't trust you romantically 

it's not worth the risk

not this time

and that's not counting

those who've ghosted me

maybe they're right 

I'm not worth the risk

but regardless of that

I have to take those thoughts

and bury them deep 

lay them to rest 

so that I can be at peace

it's the only way

because if I don't bury them

they'll most certainly bury me

cause of death 

nightmares

© 2021

Just Like (Ever After II)

You used to believe

just like I did

maybe you still do

and there's a part

of you that hopes things 

will be better next time

but maybe there's another

part of you that knows

what happened last time

could happen again

that's what scares me

because I was unworthy

and I had the opportunity

to live happily ever after

only to cause her pain

I never meant for her to feel

just like he did to you

maybe he didn't value himself

enough to know your worth

so I wouldn't blame you 

if you didn't try again

but you deserve it

your happily ever after

just like she does

that's why she chose herself

and I now sit alone

if there's any part of you 

that still believes 

choose yourself first

but don't it could cost you 

everything you've ever loved

just like it did me

© 2021