onlywordsandbones

[onlywordsandbones]

My 13 year old cousin came back from a date with her boyfriend and said, "I can't wait to grow up and spend sunday afternoons with him." At first, I wanted to laugh (after all they're just 13), but I remember being 13 and having the world in my hands. I remember getting excited to talk to someone about my dreams and wishes, and how happy these daydreams and fantasies made me. There's this innocence you can only have at 13 and the world rises and falls and crashes and burns every year... until you do not think about quiet sunday afternoons.

So I asked her about the date and heard her giggle about bubblegum flavored ice cream, and how much she loves this little life. I think she makes me love it too.

-Ritika Jyala, excerpt from The world is a sphere of ice and our hands are made of fire

#ritika jyala #poetry #literature #quotes #lovecore #poets on tumblr

[onlywordsandbones]

— Vi Khi Nao, Fish in Exile

[text ID: She made my body feel like literature, a place for the endless gaze.]

#short poem #romantic #this is beautiful #love

[onlywordsandbones]

“you’re so polite with your sadness. you don’t want to ruin this for anyone.”

— — Silas Melvin, from “Twenty,” Grit

#short poem #i feel this with my entire soul

[onlywordsandbones]

Only a Matter of Time

The first time I met death,

He smiled at me.

I was still young,

Only a few years old.

He stepped 

Through the door of the hospital room

And took 

my resting mother by the hand.

It was there that he noticed me,

Cowering 

behind the worn down chair

And gave me a smile,

Strained, 

yet comforting.

The second time I met death,

He scowled at me.

I was in my late twenties

Experienced, yet

Still unsure 

of my place in the world.

He crawled

Through the window of my childhood 

And took 

my collapsed father by the hand.

It was there that he noticed me,

Sobbing 

into my hands.

His lips curled 

down into a grimace, 

And his eyes darkened 

by the weight he carried. 

The third time I met death,

Something was different.

Maybe 

it was because I grew older,

And the harsh twists of life

Coated me with courage.

Maybe 

it was because he took the one

I loved most.

He stumbled

Into the nursery of my home

And snatched 

Her.

My beautiful little girl.

Straight from my hands.

He knew she was mine.

I screamed.

I screamed at him

Until my throat burned raw

And my tears ran dry.

He left without a glance back.

The final time I met death,

I stopped him halfway.

I knew he was coming,

It was only a matter of time.

I sat

Waiting for him,

Planning

all the hateful things I would say.

He walked

Slowly up to me and

Sat down

Right beside me.

For a moment,

Neither of us said anything.

The words I had planned 

Died 

On my tongue.

He turned

And gave me a smile

Strained,

yet comforting.

“It’s time”

For once,

I was ready. 

#poetry #death #running out of time #poems #original work #poets on tumblr

[onlywordsandbones]

Hi! I have been writing poetry for while now and I recently got inspired to share it with the world. So grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and enjoy!

#poetry #new account #poets on tumblr #im tryin my best #welcome