Victoria Taylor

Sometimes I visit the beach in winter just to remind myself that it’s still there.
I walk out on the rocks as if to dance atop the water

As the frigid, fresh, salty air reddens my cheeks.

As the sun sets I take comfort in knowing her beauty remains, even though it is not beach weather,

And how in her off-season, there are still a few there to admire her in the silence and stillness of colder times.

Aren Landau

Maybe I’m the one who can teach you 
Maybe I’m the one who can make you change your mind 

Maybe I’m the one who can teach you 
At least I have to try 

Please understand 

I am not demanding 
Please understand 

I am only giving 
Please understand 

I just want you near me 
I don’t understand 
Why can’t we just be 

I do not need permission to feel 

I do not need permission to be 
‘Cause I already am 
 

 

And that which fills my flesh 

That which fills my flesh with nebulas and laughter 
Fills my flesh with nebulas and laughter is the point 
The whole point 

Maybe you’re the one who can teach me 
Maybe you’re the one who can make me see the signs 
Maybe you’re the one who can teach me 
God, I hope you’ll try 

Please understand 

I am not demanding 

Please understand 

I am not taking 

Please understand 

I am not asking 

Please understand 

I am just waiting

Victoria Taylor

You bare the weight of the curtain crushed beneath its folds 

You deny your agony just to keep it closed 

But your drama mask is paper 

It’s full of rips and tears 

Kept mending it for decades 

It’s on its last repairs 

 

And oh how we can change over time 
And oh how we don’t change over time 

 

But what’s unknown consumes you 

Be it serene or dark 

No, you prefer to suffer 

Beneath your grand arc 

But your drama mask is paper 

It’s full of rips and tears 

Kept mending it for decades 
It’s on its last repairs 

And oh how we can change over time 
And oh how we don’t change over time 

 

Here we are standing side by side 

Once again I find myself in this mess 

Have I even left those days long ago 

When you held my hand 

And kissed my cheek 

Let my fingers speak 

But your drama mask is paper 

It’s starting to show tears 

Keep mending it for fear now 

You’re gonna be left bare 

 

And oh how we can change over time 

And oh how we don’t change 

Laini Marenick

Oh when you kiss me my whole world changes in hue 

The sky is no longer blue 

It is ruby sunsets all day 

And all night how my skin longs for your touch 
My fingers reach out grasping at strands 

That should be lying next to mine 

Oh how I could spend my whole life sitting with you 
Under our favorite tree 
With a ukulele strumming our songs 
Singing and laughing or just laying in the shade 

Our time cannot be wasted if we’re finally feeling something real 

Royal reptile 

Things just make sense in our world 

Royal reptile 

Things feel so good in our own world 

And when our eyes are locked and you begin to shake 

The universe is spinning around us in our place under the stars 

For hours and hours and hours that are never long enough 

Melt into me I need you closer than allowed by our atoms 

Royal reptile 

Things just make sense in our world 

Royal Reptile 

Things feel so good in our own world 

And if tomorrow is eclipsed like the blood moon 

Just know that it is fleeting 
You are etched inside my soul behind my ear 

And when the brightness has returned to the night sky 

I’ll be there with my arms around you 

Holding you so tight to keep you warm. 
To keep you warm

Kala Farnam

The air that night was made of lightning in the smoky twilight 
I was absorbing the energy through osmosis 

My feet moved with purpose 

My actions impulsive 

But I do not regret 
I do not regret 
Do not regret, do not regret, do not regret 
Do not regret 

The sky divided in two hues 

The bottom orange the top blue 

And though the moon was not full 

It reminded me of you 

And all I remember are the stars and the night skies 

And the icy blue of your eyes 
It’s the icy blue of your eyes 

 

I could not speak ill of you if I tried 
If I cared to try 

I could not speak ill of you 

If I cared to try. If I dared to try 

I’m a masochist for your affection 

Observing you eases the pain 

Brings a smile to my face 

All those smiles on my face as I lay in the lemon juice. 

My thick skin and my open wounds, laying in the lemon juice, the lemon juice 

The sting reminds me of the scratches that you gave me all those nights under glitter skies 

The stars remind me of your eyes locked on mine full of affection and desire 

That first night by the fire when your 

Whole body melted into me 

You were bashful at my gaze and I sang to you 

And you kissed me to shut me up 

And you kissed me to shut me up 

And you kissed me to shut me up 

Fill my cup, fill my cup overflowing with strength 

Strength and emotion 

You spoke of such devotion and I’m left a better person for it all 

I can’t fall I can’t fall 

I can’t fall I can’t fall I can’t fall 

I can’t fall I just burn I just burn full of love love love 

I just burn full of love love love 

I could not speak ill of you if I tried 

If I cared to try 
You broke my heart, but I’m fine 

I’m fine 

Deep down inside I am fine 

Deep down inside I am fine 

 

That night I sat upon a child’s swing 

And swayed to the soundtrack of us 

It left something to be desired as the energy calmed 

Light-polluted 

The night was light polluted, so I could not see you 

You were not here 

The swing was not the same swing 

My legs were not around you 

My lips were not pressed against your skin 

But still there was pretty water 

And colorful skies 

I danced alone 

I danced alone 

I danced alone, but a little restored 

With a slice of my heart reserved for you.