"Stunted Rhapsody"

In the ache of an earthquake

I found the rhythm and power in my feet,

I found my soul in the tattoo of period blood

On my white sheets, I found the beauty

Of warrior queens,

standing next to put-a-coin-here

laundry machines.

I found love in abandoned schoolrooms,

And sang out loud my discoveries

I found a Bible in Romeo and Juliet's tomb,

I read it like gospel, in stunted rhapsody.

I wrote out love letters

on ripped candy wrappers,

I sang blue, broken-leg songs

to dead jazz crooners and tappers.

I ate smog for breakfast

and I ran after school,

Ran headlong into detention

for playing the fool.

I cried myself to sleep

for six days in a row,

Because...

Is all this worth something?

I may never know.