Alternative Housing | Teen Ink

Alternative Housing

February 14, 2010
By chocolateharp SILVER, Plaistow, New Hampshire
chocolateharp SILVER, Plaistow, New Hampshire
8 articles 0 photos 21 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Dear God," she prayed, "let me be something every minute of every hour of my life. Let me be gay; let me be sad. Let me be cold; let me be warm. Let me be hungry...have too much to eat. Let me be ragged or well dressed. Let me be sincere - be deceitful. Let me be truthful; let me be a liar. Let me be honorable and let me sin. Only let me be something every blessed minute. And when I sleep, let me dream all the time so that not one little piece of living is ever lost." - Betty Smith (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn)


I can see
that you have built a make-shift shelter, in the dusty glare of an imitation sun.
With the heat, and the silence of responsibility as your roof,
and walls of spider-web glass; the hope that it will all work out.
Can I do the same?

I know
that you have made your home where no one can help you;
removed from those who could reach you by the grimy edge of a stage,
and all the darkness of the space between two stars.
Can I do the same?

I detect
a smile broader that the one I’ve forced upon my lips
and comfort, asleep in the lines of your skin.
You have learned to balance in the world of my dreams and my nightmares.
Can I do the same?

But where do you find the glue that holds that world together?
Is there some secret ingredient, scribbled in the margin of an ancient volume?
Or are squeezed-shut eyes and a hasty prayer enough to do the job?
I might be able to manage some reckless courage,
if that was all it took.

But do you ever wish that home felt truly safe?
I used to think about such things, but
I’ve grown sick of deceiving myself for romance;
and the fear of choking on each gasp,
when I realize it was me all along.

I imagine
standing in your footprints (where one thousand eyes prick my skin)
and blinded by the brightness of recognition.
Adrenaline launches me; and for a moment, I am airborne.
But in all the commotion, I’m afraid I never learned how to fly.

I wish
that someone had thought to warn me of my greatest foe;
who lives beneath the layers of my pride, deceptive in his modesty.
Perhaps you will think I’m foolish, to fear such a powerless creature;
but I am the one who wraps his fingers around my neck.

I wonder
have you encountered such a beast before?
I’ve heard that the only way to pierce his tender skin
is with a carefully polished silver sword, lifted high to reflect
the playfully up-turned corners of your lips.

But where did you find the minutes that it took to craft that blade?
(were they hiding in the sheets of your bed; or underneath your fingernails?)
And how do you grasp the sharpened edge, without
a handle made of something smooth and warm and constant?
Do you watch the palms of you hands, waiting for them to bleed?


…can I do the same?



Similar Articles

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 6 comments.


on Aug. 8 2010 at 7:18 am
Still_Waters26 SILVER, Ladysmith, Wisconsin
6 articles 0 photos 88 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;We few, we happy few/we band of brothers/For he to-day that sheds his blood with me/Shall be my brother&quot;<br /> -Shakespeare, &quot;Henry V&quot;

Beautiful, stunning piece of work.  Very soulful and deep, and very poetic in descrbing things.  I was amazed by how deep and vivid this was.  Excellent, excellent job!!

julia_elg said...
on Feb. 24 2010 at 10:45 pm
julia_elg, Valley Village, California
0 articles 0 photos 27 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;And of course there must be something wrong / In wanting to silence any song.&quot; - Robert Frost, &quot;A Minor Bird&quot;

Wow, this is stunning! The imagery really brings your point of view to life: a knife blade slicing hands, minutes hiding under fingernails, a sword reflecting a smile.... All very well done - keep writing! I hope to see your work in the magazine soon.

on Feb. 24 2010 at 4:39 pm
NerdGirlVictoria SILVER, Mena, Arkansas
8 articles 7 photos 37 comments

Favorite Quote:
I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.<br /> - Susan B. Anthony

woops got five browsers up and posted wrong comment lol but i do love this peice every one need to rate five stars

on Feb. 24 2010 at 4:38 pm
NerdGirlVictoria SILVER, Mena, Arkansas
8 articles 7 photos 37 comments

Favorite Quote:
I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.<br /> - Susan B. Anthony

thanks so much

on Feb. 23 2010 at 8:21 pm
Anna-TheDarkOneInTheCorner, Salem, Oregon
0 articles 1 photo 7 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;I dont know why I cut myself, god, give me a sign or help, I won&#039;t cry it&#039;ll be fine, I&#039;ll take my last breath, push it out my chest, &#039;till there&#039;s nothing left.&quot;<br /> &quot;I just wanna say good bye, dissapear with no one knowin&#039;.&quot;- hollywood undead

.....

Amazing

on Feb. 23 2010 at 8:19 pm
NerdGirlVictoria SILVER, Mena, Arkansas
8 articles 7 photos 37 comments

Favorite Quote:
I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.<br /> - Susan B. Anthony

The title was the first thing to captivate me but wow great! 5 stars!