in the absence of the sun

by Emily Curtis

When we were younger we fought with our fists but now we have discovered deadlier weapons -words

Here’s to the women who come home each day, unbutton the grief, shrug it off their shoulders and try to forget it for a while before they are forced to wake up and press repeat

Hearts don’t shatter they rot

I wish I had the ability to sleep so peacefully, easily, but I am among the few who remain awake with the owls -in the absence of the sun

She was told so many times “She can’t” that now She won’t

I live among the hardcovers stacked in piles higher than Everest because it is easier to feel through fictional characters the loss the love the heartbreak the tragedy it all comes at once and then it is gone with the close of the cover

There will always be a loose screw or an uneven floorboard -there is no such thing as a perfect life

Life leads rivers for those willing to follow with a paddle and a fishing net

Falling for you was like rereading my favorite book

You are allowed encouraged to be different

And I never used to speak out of turn, the latch on my mouth remained untouched, but that changed sometime in between the “you can’ts” & “you don’t dare’s”

Her death was not Her end

I wasn’t a damsel in distress and didn’t need a prince to sweep me off my feet

Learn to take a compliment with grace even if you don’t believe it