taigabeetle

A New Portrait

(originally written apr. 2nd, 2025)

i feel wings beating in my heart and pushing against my shoulders.

this house is a home, because there’s only one me.

i don’t feel perfect yet, but i don’t have to be.

my bones, my voice, my teeth don’t feel like an enclosure.

sticks and stones broke a few bones but i can still stand on my feet, just carefully.

i feel wings beating in my heart and pushing against my shoulders.

this house is a home, because there’s only one me.

this life needs a melody, and i’ll be the composer.

sing to me, heart and blood, pulse and beat.

i’m proud to smile with yellowed teeth.

i feel wings beating in my heart and pushing against my shoulders.

this house is a home, because there’s only one me.

i don’t feel perfect yet, but i don’t have to be.

commentary

this is a rondel! it's also a response to a really old poem from my freshman year of high school that was naturally filled with self-doubt and insecurity. i had a lot of fun writing this one. i love myself :)

#poetry