By K.D. Lyons
I grew up under blooms of untamed weeds
Overwhelming overcome by overgrowth
Tangled mercilessly in a river of poison ivy vines
And I could barely breathe
My peers were the most delicate dainty daisies
Sprouting in the most elite gardens of Babylon
Carefully cultivated and never ever to be cut down
And I gaped at their beauty
I fought tirelessly for the barest freckle of sunlight
Inevitably resentful, but too overrun to be jealous
My sword slashed red stems until they oozed blood
And I began turning red too
They chatter with a thrill, “Rose is destined to be prom queen”
While I’m silent, picking out thorns until my palms bleed
Eyed for avoiding the frivolity, but desperation had a grip on me
And I cared for nothing else
They gushed and hushed about their crush while I gushed blood
I knew the truth, that they were not my real enemies
But in darkness, it can be hard to tell the difference
And I lunged at the wrong target
Relentless, I cut, carved, and stumbled my way to freedom
I was desperate for Daylight to engulf me in its warmth
I breathe in the intricate, welcoming scent of sweet Jasmine
And I hope to become one
But freedom can be as fragile as a fresh spring bloom
in the dead of night, in pitch-black so dark, it’s red
Roots pull at my ankles, my hands claw my sheets
And I try to get a grip
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