glass

i live only in mirrors.

in glass walls of illusion

held up to my eyes -

a wicked dance’s reflection.

i exist in pixels

in square spaces of color

squared into squares -

lifeless smiles in wrong pigment.

i made my knuckles swell

because i shattered my world,

and my knees hurt

from bending into form.

sometimes i wish i was blind

and beauty was not power

that cut like a blade

i want to twist to my heart.

if i could live in my spirit

as the folds of my flesh

slough and die -

then i can grow wings.

the red pools at my ankles

continue to rise

and i will drown

because refraction is a lie.

the story of a girl who just wanted to be pretty.