smooth asphalt under a gray sky,
streetlights humming above,
find me melting into this crossroad
because how can i know direction without exploring opportunities
sometimes i’m caught at this crossroad,
too occupied following the traces of others
i forget to carve my own path
i try to reach for your hand in the endless shadows of possibilities as you drift by
only to grasp the memory of your touch one more time
just to lose myself in the sensation of your heart for a second longer
before you dissolve into unknown directions i will never reach

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whenever you look at me
i want to dive into the depth of your eyes
and get lost in your devastating force
my eyes try to reach your center
but the sharpness of your gaze cuts right through me
so instead i drown myself in your glance
until there is nothing left of me

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puzzle me together like the stars that form constellations
as if i consist of tiny pieces scattered across the night sky
connect my dots and draw your perfect picture of me
and after you placed the last piece of the puzzle in it’s spot
tear me apart and start all over again while the stars softly fade away into the morning light

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how can i find my words
if the seeds of my expression flourish on a ground never meant to hold us
yet we continue to plant the most beautiful flowers
watered with the tears of our memories

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my lungs are filled but there is no air left to breathe
i exhale my tears
i inhale my anger
i hold my breath and let the anxiety fill up the space inside me
emptiness slowly dripping through the cracks of my confusion,
rain covers my body,
while raindrops and tears blend on my face streaming down in secret union
a stranger hugs me – urgent, full of emotion, full of instinctive understanding,
our souls speak while our words rest
and our bodies shake to the rhythm of our shared tears
we hold tight until our hearts slow down and find peace in this explosive collision

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Jale is a writer from Berlin who sees her work as a window to the heart and mind.

Her poetry seeks to give voice to emotions that linger deep inside us, beneath hidden layers of vulnerability.

She hopes her words will resonate with her readers’ own feelings and memories, bringing to light hidden treasures of emotion as a way to connect with ourselves.

When she isn’t writing, you’ll find her observing the sun’s light shift through the seasons or working as a psychotherapist.

You can find Jale on Instagram @words.by.jale.

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Picture Credits: Musa Ali Chaudhry