with each step they trample
the confidence of the women
astounding to onlookers
yet incredibly dim on the inside
they are creatures of privilege
with each step they spit
on the unfortunate they pity
with their smugness
they think they are the truth

i wonder sometimes about
how convincing i am
when i tell a bold-faced lie
i’ve never been bold enough

if we could travel the world together
i don’t think we would
we could be anywhere we wanted
and together would be enough

your smile is a lot less convincing
after your heartless slurs
you say you’re getting better
but you’re absent like remorse

i try to be happy
and make others happy
but there aren’t enough
hours in a day
to do both

i smile at strangers
because they don’t
know if i’m pretending
or not
i smile at strangers
because maybe i
think happiness is
contagious

he would be a constant hiccup
if hiccups were lovely
a shocking smile in the hallways
he is a hiccup,
showing up at the worst times
threatening to ruin you
making your heart beat fast
a reminder that you’re still alive
whether you like it or not