Creative Voices

By Lily Hearn / Matthew staff || Edited by Jacob Hunter

It would’ve been simple to tie the ribbons of passion, 

Fasten them up into untouchable, intricate bows, 

To wear them on my sleeve when they’re in fashion, 

And tighten them more when they begin to let go, 

I was taught to cut my grievances from a bed sheet, 

To repurpose mealy habits as an affection, 

To safety pin the pieces where my thoughts meet, 

And blame the world for my circumspection, 

To tie loose ends means nothing though, 

These binds still come unraveling in my mind, 

To burn the ends and seal the frays that show, 

Though I have a fear of flames and being easily defined, 

I could be gentle enough to hold a lighter, 

But I want to let this living stay rife, 

To not let description be given to her, 

To not live forced to cradle strife, 

The spite of a ribbon being pulled too tight, 

Is the thing that gnaws at me through the night.