The bus stop yawns; the morning bites. I hide my name in fluorescent lights. Bus stop yawns, cold bite. I fold my name inside. 6:03—strike twice. Cold tile, cheap vinyl. Mirror: “fine.” Eyes: “lie.” Sleeves “please,” pockets “sorry.” Badge—beep; gate lets me by. Static small talk; I nod. Stairwell lunch, scrolling storms. “Calm down” again—same form. Shoelace frays; patience thin. Leftover rain leaks in. “Sweetheart,” he says; I stiffen. My notes, your name pinned. Bitten tongue—crimson thread. Every “no” left unsaid. Ordinary ink on ordinary days, Underlined words still blaze. Wallpaper shade in a rented room, Seams can split—make way. Steady steps in a hallway drone, Floors remember bone. Pocket change in a thunder jar, I shake, I spark, I start. You say “smile”—I show teeth; Not for your peace—I breathe. You say “relax”—I set pace; Pick my time, claim my space. Not your mirror, not your shield— I name my ground; I hold it. If anger’s fire, I keep it bright— Pilot light for better nights. Train window—ghost of doubt. Mouth full of “fine”—I rinse it down. Emails storm in measured tone; “Per my last,” carve my own. Coffee rings like eclipse moons. Afternoon keeps the score. Laugh at the joke—unkind. File it: not this time. Crosswalk blinks; I choose. Blue on blue—my laces. “Dear,” says the cashier again. Count back change; count breaths. Keys in hand, a trembling kiss— Tell myself: I’m more than this. I lock the door; light stays. Silence resets my frame. Ordinary ink on ordinary days, Underlined words still blaze. Wallpaper shade in a rented room, Seams can split—make way. Steady steps in a hallway drone, Floors remember bone. Pocket change in a thunder jar, I shake, I spark, I start. You say “smile”—I show teeth; Mine to breathe beneath. You say “relax”—I set pace; Take my time, claim my place. If silence saves me, let it ring— Quiet bells still swing. If rage is rain, I’m ground— Take it in and grow out loud. Streetlight flickers—count four. Through the frame, not the door. Knuckles remember each try. Keep truth where knives can’t pry. Cheap moon, thin cloud, I stand. Ordinary girl, hard line. Deep breath—no headlines needed. Turn key—my design. Ordinary ink on ordinary days, Underlined words still blaze. Wallpaper shade in a rented room, Seams can split—make way. Steady steps in a hallway drone, Floors remember bone. Pocket change in a thunder jar, I shake, I spark, I start. You say “smile”—I bare teeth; Weather I breathe beneath. You say “relax”—I set pace; Take my time, take my place. If anger’s fire, let it rise— Beacon bright behind my eyes. No battle cry, no broken glass— I live, I choose, I let it last.
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