Soft in the Middle

by Shelby Eileen

don’t be scared when the full weight of my heart tests the strength of your hands

feelings disappear like earrings

how do you tell a stranger you think you could love them forever?

and if I can’t be loved, I hope I can be let go like petals on the wind

The stars will always be there, but you should move forward.

does it hurt that I love you?

beauty is not pain beauty is simply there everywhere

words are the best version of me

this is the home I’ll never have to leave this is mine

touching you might be like touching a painting a little forbidden unquestionably satisfying

I worry that anything you feel will turn into something without me there

I hope you at least think of me a little while I’m thinking of you a lot because if not the universe will be horribly out of balance

read the palms of your hands knowing, under thin skin, lies your soul

people look at me and do not realize that they’re not looking into a mirror

it started with words it could end there too

I want to celebrate every precious little minute we are lucky to live on a planet of shimmering seas and goddess green in a galaxy layered in starlight