Maria S.

“There is a right way to be this gender.
It has been taught to me
since birth.
I have failed every class.”
― Clementine von Radics, Mouthful of Forevers

“The good news is you survived. The bad news is you're hurt and no one can heal you but yourself.”
― Clementine von Radics, Mouthful of Forevers

“I cannot believe her when she says
I am beautiful. She cannot want me,
not the way I want her. My want
is an Empire State Building
I monster-climb with her
clutched in my fist. They make old,
flickering horror movies
about the way I look at her mouth.”
― Clementine von Radics, Mouthful of Forevers

“There will always be those
who say you are too young and delicate
to make anything happen for yourself.
They don't see the part of you that smolders.
Don't let their doubting drown out
the sound of your own heartbeat.

You are the first drop of rain in a hurricane.

Your bravery builds beyond you.
You are needed by all the little girls
still living in secret, writing oceans
made of monsters, and
throwing like lightning.
You don't need to grow up
to find greatness.

You are so much stronger than the world
has ever believed you could be.
The world is waiting for you
to set it on fire. Trust in yourself

and burn.”
― Clementine von Radics, Mouthful of Forevers