they told me

that my voice

was too much.

that because i knew

what i wanted,

and because i knew

how to speak on it,

i was too much.

and they cut my blossoms

before they bloomed.

i was five,

so i listened.

and i stopped

using my voice.

because

i did not want to be

labeled as bossy

and i did not want to

be ashamed

of my own

vocal chords.

i was too much,

so i made myself,

too little.

for years,

my voice was locked

inside

of thick tree bark.

so when boys,

pinned me down,

i forgot how to say no.

and when the world

told me so,

i listened.

and when i did nothing wrong,

i apologized anyway,

for my toomuchness,

or toolittleness.

but a woman

is as wild as

the weeds.

so my seedlings

sprouted nonetheless,

and became my voice,

until my voice grew back.

no no no

blossoming

like cherry trees

in the springtime.

It was 7 P.M.

She was late. A whole hour late.

She had a reputation known around the world. Whenever her name was mentioned, words like hideous, disgusting, and feared usually accompanied.

But I believe that real beauty lies within. She deserved a chance.

Suddenly, the sound of snakes hissing interrupted my thoughts. I turned just as I heard a voice calling out to me.

"I'm so sorry that I just got here! There were still many people out in the streets and I didn't want to bump into them, but I'm glad that you didn't give up on me and leave!"

Her voice was softer than I had imagined. It sounded almost enchanting.

"It's no problem. I'm just glad that we could finally meet in person! You've brought your pet snakes with you?"

"All thirty of them to be exact." She giggled quietly.

We spent the rest of our night talking and getting to know each other, and it easily became the best date I had ever been on.

At the end of the night, we held hands. Hers felt cold and somewhat scaly, and one of her pet snakes coiled around our hands, locking them tighter together, but it felt right. It felt like it was meant to be, and I could tell she was, indeed, a very beautiful person that I could imagine myself being with in the long run.

I'm glad I signed up in Blind Dates for the Blind.