Poems by Lauren Bowman

I don’t need to be the sun;
the center of it all.
Always present.
Always burning.

I mean, have you seen
how beautifully the fireflies dance
on warm summer nights?

Give me that peace.
That light.
That choice.
The ability to surround myself in darkness,
or to subtly, yet brilliantly
glow.

When you left,
I immediately deleted your number and pictures
and pulled our memories from the wall.
This is my strength.
This is how I know I’ll survive.
I cried as I erased you,
but I erased you anyway.
I wished you back,
but I still opened my hands
and let you go.