red lipstick armor

dead eyes behind dark glasses
red lipstick armor
bright smile
shrouding the pain
of the invisible girl
pulled back once more
into the abyss

day 16, letter-writing

all I asked from you was
respect
and truth
my love returned
effort matched
you watched
as I burned
in your lies
shallow derision
you should know
I'm beautiful
I'm whole
I'm deserving
so thank you for letting
me go

day 15, the middle

caught between longing
for beautiful times since past
and anticipating, waiting
to become
will I ever be happy
or loved or complete
or content in the middle
where things stand still

day 11, rejecting the prompt

staring into the pitch black night
nothing but stars
missing my city lights
a simpler existence
a slower pace
fighting a constant longing ache
that can't be shut out
by a change of place
never finding that missing piece

day 10, portrait

animated brown eyes
hint of mania
stiff forced smile
to hide the pain
soft brown hair
a touch of curl
shrill excitement
awkward grace
dancing through
a too-short race

day 9, 9 lines, magic nine

every carefully planned stage
revolved around them
a balm to soothe her rage
meaning for him, a way to connect
a guide to navigate old age
healing for decades of abuse
a key to unlock the pain-filled cage
tied to their tiniest whim
only seen as a personal stage

day 8, repetition

work hard, play hard

never enough

work hard, no fun

never enough

play hard, slack off

never enough

fall in love, give them your all

never enough

change everything, improve everything

never enough

achieve their goals

never enough

achieve your goals

never enough