For every person out there that was quiet, not because they chose to be so, but because they were choking in the smoke. Because their opinions were apparently not worth anything. Because they didn't know just how to say what they felt. For every person that is consumed by their own thoughts, the derision from the outside world only making it worse. For every soul that was drowning in remorse and anguish on restless nights. For every soul that says I love you in the dark and in the mirror because no one else does. For the floors we would pace while anxiety sunk its teeth into us. For the mirrors that we would break while shame echoed its laugh in our caged walls. For the hearts that would ache while loneliness was the only company. For every moment of pain and solitude in this world that feels too cruel for such young and frail minds.

These are pieces of my heart-love, heartbreak, longing, and hope. Read, feel, and maybe see your own story reflected in these words. "Tell me-what hurts more: Knowing the person you love will die, Or knowing they're alive, Yet you can never have them?" - Elizabeth #1 destroying #1 poetrylovers #1 poetryoflife #1 poetryofthesoul #1 echoesoftheheart #1 destroying #1 forthebroken #1 healingthroughwords #4 Motivation #1 poembook

love is a complicated emotion. for many, it is simply a fantasy one could only wish to feel toward themself. TO LIVE IS TO LOVE is a compilation of poetry, documenting my own journey of learning how to love myself. how i can learn to love all of my flaws, visible or not. this poetry book is ongoing, as my journey is. it is vulnerable and raw, and i hope that others can relate to and join me on this journey.