Denise

“One must always be careful of books," said Tessa, "and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.”
― Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel

“They say a man's inspiration is visual, but for a woman, it's the narrative.

Abandon both the narrative and the visual. Close your eyes, measure your breath.

Dead weight is sloughed off, dust swept away, forms dissolve into one atmosphere.

The rib cage opens, the lungs fill, the breast rises.

Waves sweep up the body on their swell, rocking it rhythmically.

Feet planted, the back arches, the pelvis reaches forward.

Oxygen kindles a flame, sprawling through the belly, and gathering in a warm blaze.

The hand reaches to meet the sensation.

Calligraphy spills from the inkwell.

Open your eyes, sharpen your focus, and exclaim:

There are no separations.”
― Craig Thompson, Habibi

“And it's hard to hate someone once you understand them.”
― Lucy Christopher, Stolen

“Only the very weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry.”
― Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel