Paper Wings

Paper Wings — Cassi Crush i used to whisper dreams in pencil like they’d break if said out loud i traced my plans in notebook margins but never thought they’d look like mine told myself “just one more failure” like quitting early was a sign the stars looked fake through tangled phone lines my chest too tight to even breathe then your laugh cut through the static like you saw something in me i used to fold before the start but you rewrote me, part by part paper wings don’t care if they tear — i’m airborne i’m riding drafts of late-night laughs and warmth you held my hand when i was feeling torn now watch me fly — not just survive — reborn i taped my heart back with receipts from nights i almost talked myself out but you rolled truth into the silence and passed it round to kill the doubt we stared at ceilings, eyes like planets while smoke curled into glowing thoughts you said “you don’t need to be perfect— just show up… that’s enough.” you helped me hear my softer voice and gave me space to make a choice paper wings don’t care if they tear — i’m airborne i’m riding drafts of half-formed dreams and scorn you said i shine, even when i’m worn now watch me fly — i’m not who i was before torn pages / sharp edges / still flying / still rising high thoughts / warm nights / my people / my timing i was so scared of falling down i never learned to leave the ground but now i’m burning through the doubt say it loud — i’m breaking out paper wings don’t care if they tear — i’m airborne i’m rising up on every bond i’ve formed they helped me bloom where i had only mourned now every doubt’s a spark — and i am storm-born paper wings don’t care if they tear… and neither do i