Various Ignitions

When I was just 13
I sat around my first fire
holding hands with my first-
and at the time I thought only ever- boy.
Feeling this strange new thing called found.

No one here mistook my always
seated posture for stupidity,
thought that my no make up policy made me
any less the typical teenage girl ,
or glared at me when even I Knew I
was eating too many s’mores.

I would value that
come to be considered holy
to me space,
until I turned 17
and opted to attend elite, auditioned for
arts camp after acceptance.

But my essence
would ache for its return
until I turned 19
and found a new place to belong.