I learnt how to make this urgent flame look like a lantern.

Am I supposed to be grateful to have survived this?

The fifth problem is that when a new man tells you he likes you too much already, it doesn’t sound like a promise.It sounds like a smoke alarm,warning you to get out fast— If you hurry, you might miss the worst of it.

Peach pits are poisonous. This is not a mistake. Girlhood is growing fruit around cyanide. It will never be your for swallowing.

This is the hardest part— That boy is not made of fists. That boy learned how to braid my hair. These things do not un-truth themselveswhen the first door slams.I did not stop loving himall the months I was holding my breath.

just so you remembertrauma knows exactly where you live --who do you think built the house?

(...) like he left a piece of himself with youand you are terrifiedhe is coming back for it.Or he left a piece of himself with you and you are terrified he is not coming back for it.

Sometimes, a child will go underwhile their parent is watching,and they don’t even knowanything is wrong. My mom asks if everything’s okay,and I say of course. Drowning is a quiet,desperate thing.