Paper Hearts

She’s just a child
when she washes her hands
of that which had told her
would destroy her plans.
She’s just a child
when he washes away
letting cries fall to silence
on her happiest day.
She’s just a child
when he tells her goodbye
says not to love him
and never to cry.
She’s just a child
when he holds her so close
and tells her he’s sorry,
and he missed her the most.

But when she grows up
and she then learns to live,
she cuts out of paper
the hearts that she rid.
She’s all grown up
when he refuses her hand
and she closes her fingers
around God-forsaken sand.
She’s all grown up
when the hearts float away
but because she’s grown up,
she’s now happy today.

I wrote this one listening to “Paperthin Hymn” by Anberlin (great band, you should  check them out.). Basically, it’s saying that while, yes, the heart may break into a thousand pieces and love may seem the most painful of any of life’s trials, it is always worth it, no matter how much pain it brings, because if this love is true (even if not returned in the way you might want it to be) the fiery spark is enough to leave you happy.

Purity

Purity

Can I?
May I really
call this thing
purity
even if shadows
and broken dreams
that never quite
haunted me
the way they did
everyone else.
Can I call this pure?

Can I?
Dare I say
that after only
sixteen years
I know
what this purity
is, without taintation
without temptation,
without understanding
or reason,
may I say I know what love is?

This is a teen’s representation of both confusion and certainty. When you’re a kid, they say you don’t know what love is. Problem is, that’s false. You know what love is. Did you not love your mother? Your father? Of course, some have special cases with broken families, but no matter how young you were, I am certain you have loved someone once in your life.

For all of those out there that tell kids or teenagers that they don’t know what love is (and the one that told me that? You know who you are), I’d like you to tell me why you know so much about love. Because you’re older? Wrong. We know as much as you do. Sometimes, more. Love is human nature, and therefore, instinct from birth.

We Were Both Kids

We were both kids
when I said that I loved him.
You told me “no, no,
you can’t possibly love him.”
“Mattie you’re a kid,” you said.
“Mattie you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

We were both kids
when I caught you with roses,
pulling out thorns
for the threat that they posed me.
You said they were a scar
but that I shouldn’t fear them anymore.

We were both kids
when you promised you’d be there,
promised, no matter what, that you’d always
be there, oh you swear!
And that no matter what,
I was your little Girlie.

We were both kids
when you told me to smile,
told me life would be great
if I did for a while.
Told me not to bottle it up,
told me that me in myself was enough.

We were both kids
when I told you I loved you.
You didn’t care
in the way that you used to,
you let us fall away.
You let our past together fade into gray.

I was so young
when you shattered my heart and,
you were so strong
letting friendship like sand
slip through your fingers.
I slipped through your fingers.

But I’m still young enough
still weak enough,
still strong enough through the storm to say…

We were both kids
when I told you I loved you,
I’m still a kid,
and I’m still in love with you.
You don’t even care,
and you didn’t keep your promise to always be there.
But I’m still a child, so I’ll forgive.

And I’m still a child, so I’ll never forget.
You, that is, my love.

I guess this one’s a little self-explanitory. Pretty cut-and-dry when it comes to symbolism. Of course, I could be wrong, so post any questions you may have and I’ll attempt to answer them. Either way, I hope you enjoyed, and I guess this is me signing off.