I like how she stands with her back to the sun and she cuts her hair short
and dyes it but says it's just self expression, not feelings.
I like how she thinks she can fool me I like how she thinks she can lie without repercussion.
And of course I know she's upset, says she'll likely sever ties with every stranger she sees, but
when my best friend Riley gets sad sometimes I know that they're who she crawls back to.
Her mind weaves itself like strings entwined in a mess, necklace chains cause she's messy,
earbud cords cause she doesn't have money, and
I like that.
My best friend Riley only wants to be great when nobody's looking, she only sings when the party's died down,
she only dreams when she's sleeping. My best friend Riley writes things and then shreds them.
My best friend Riley paints pictures and then scrubs the canvas,
My best friend Riley gets sad sometimes, and you know--
she drives me to the brink of insanity.
I'll listen to one song all the way home, it'll probably be a slow one that talks about safety.
I like when she picks the music and tells me she'll sing these songs to my children one day.
And her voice isn't very distinct, not at all, but it makes babies happy it gets the job done.
I like when she closes her eyes at the sun
I like when they fill and she gulps them away
I like when she corrects teachers' word choice and can speak up in crowds.
My best friend Riley gets sad sometimes and can't use all those words to say it, but
I wonder if I'd hear her if she said it out loud.
Her voice isn't very distinct, not at all but it's read things and said things
and held and freed feelings.
It rises and falls with the turn of the tides--nondescript
But she's my best friend,
and I like how it gets the job done.
49 Comments
BlakeNoelle
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!! This is ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE, RI!!!!!!! The way you talk about yourself from this perspective is so brilliant and well written!!! :)
Zirong
I don't know why but this makes me feel like crying. I hope I can write such brilliant pieces one day.
a rose
Wow. This got sixty likes? So proud of you. FJDJJDJESJ.
Also this is scarily accurate
In Which Yaya Writes
Wow, I mean this is so amazing. So many emotions in here. This is beautiful. I probably can't say much more.
Except what color is your hair XD?
happy butterfly
oh my gosh this is so beautiful,i love it so much. i want to write like this some day,you are such an inspiration
The Secret Society of Purple Iguanas of Death Online
Oh, wow! This was spectacular. I love the way you use the imagery to depict yourself. You write it so we can feel like she’s our friend too. :)
Livsnjutare
This is really good!!
Jo Rejoicing [ChildOfGod]
Aw, this is so sad! Here's mine: https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/202109/version/413437
Stone of Jade
I feel really late but here is my piece for this prompt:
https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/201907/version/412923
Dmoral
i'm probably late to this "trend", but kudos to you for starting it! so here i go for added to this endless string of comments with my link
https://bit.ly/3lp4pek
and yeah. i'd properly comment how much i love this piece, but i think you already know ;) <3
katnissromanoff
This is so great and I tried my own, it isn't as good as yours, but here's the link: https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/201829/version/412749
SunV
Okay, so I did one too! I really loved this prompt, and I had a lot of fun doing this.
https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/198470/version/412693
Samina
hey
i tried something on the prompt, not the best tho :)
https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/200897/version/410151
journal.scribbles
re: aw thank you! <3
Calisa
This is really good. I tried it out here: https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/201669/version/412215
SunV
This is really great! I love the feelings you've conveyed.
I'm a little confused on the prompt though.... Are we supposed to talk about our best friend, or about ourselves? Eh... I'm a little stupid :)
journal.scribbles
Thank you, poetri, for inspiring all of us to create our own. I'm 100% with everything chrysanthemums&ink said, but I won't bore you with an attempt to write a comment as well written as theirs (since it's basically impossible). Anyways, beautiful poem, and it's even more beautiful the creativity that you've inspired. I wrote my own here: https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/201278/version/411831
Thank you!!!
maryse
This is genuinely beautiful. Not just your writing (though that is magical in its own right) but the whole movement you've encouraged by doing this. It's a lovely idea. I hope you don't mind but I had a go on my own, I'd love for you to have a look. I was amazed by how relieved I felt afterwards, sometimes it's nice to romanticise yourself for a little while. Thank you.
Link is: https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/201491/version/411797
chrysanthemums&ink
held off liking until i got my own thing out. i love this piece so much, and even if i wasn't planning on taking part (i couldn't resist the urge), i would've come back to it over and over again. your tone when writing poetry is so uniquely yours,. the emotions are expressed so well, almost like i'm sitting across from you having an actual conversation. this is a terrible comment, but i really really love this.
i realize i'm a little late to the party, and i know you're kind enough to check all of these wonderful pieces out, so there's no pressure to take a look at mine. lol, this prompt really started a lot, didn't it? i feel like you kind of just have that power, to inspire other people. i'm thankful, because i never thought there'd be something like this in wtw ever again. thank you.
https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/201399/version/411640
Rose A
SIDENOTE: O. M. Gosh. I just realized I wasn't following you. Fixing that right now.
Rose A
I love this piece and this prompt! It's amazing how many people you've influenced. I just posted my own if you'd like to check it out. :)
Here it is https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/201343/version/411390
LaurenBeeWrites
This is beautiful, really really raw. I just found your page. It takes a lot to write like this and I admire you for it. PS I saw your bio and fun fact: I listened to the light behind your eyes for the first time today...kinda want to do a prompt on it, now. MCR is an amazing band, them and TOP have helped me through so much. <3 Keep on writing! Know your not alone!
Wisp
Replying: Even your gibberish is poetic. And thanks for the kind words, they mean so much from a writer of your caliber! I don't drink coffee, but if you ever want to talk about emotions, I'm all for it ;) sometimes I speak with my friends about it and I don't know, sometimes I feel like they just don't understand what I'm feeling??? Wishing you the best as well, take care of yourself lots and remember how loved you are :)
Wisp
Read this yesterday on the other place, and then liked it here. Anyways, your use of emotion is just so brilliant and I adore the way you've weaved the prompt together. There's a poetic beauty in the way you've written it, down from the formatting to the diction and just whole piece itself in all its entirety. You've always had a way with words, and your newest pieces are just so breathtaking (Staten island girl and this one) in a whole new level. Just eternally lovely and I have to say I've missed your writing a lot. I'm just thrilled to see you back, even if it may be a short while :)
(Also, you're such an icon! Creating a whole movement here, kinda reminds me of #giveusourwords back ;))
Here's my own version, if you want to read it:
https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/201107/version/411210
Westley
Absolutely beautiful!
sci-Fi
Hey!!! Posted my own version :)
https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/201203/version/411068
don't you see the starlight (#TS)
https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/201206/version/411028
this was so much fun but also deeply revealing. brilliant idea.
don't you see the starlight (#TS)
i am going to do this. i hope. because while i couldn't hope to match anyone's, this idea is so intriguing. the way you took this and looked inside to write it... stunning.
BlueWolf (Semi Hiatus)
I love this!!!! Just amazing!!! Fantastic writing!!! Speechless!!!!
mirkat
re: oh my god really you like it? so many people have said they like my name too but its harder for me for some reason. thank you for your kind comments and such! they make me smile! <3<3<3
Ibex
here's a link to my attempt at something nice: https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/201099/version/410729
anyways though i love your work so much; it's all just so beautiful
mirkat
my version if you want! (yours is ever so much better):
https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/201096/version/410733
crystalline•galaxies
this piece is so, so meaningful. it's so sweet and emotional, and i've reread it three times already.
i gave the prompt a go; it's nowhere near as polished as yours, but it was definitely a serious self-examination that i enjoyed writing:
https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/201070/version/410680
WordsSpeakLouder
This was so satisfying to read. There are so many elements tying it all together into something so amazing. You're a fantastic writer.
mirkat
oh this is phenomenal! the formatting and language and all that jazz just pull me in and this is so relatable and ahhhh i gotta try it some time! <3<3<3
rwong
heyyyy i loveee this poem so muchhhhh <3 i wrote a response though let me just warn you: YOUR'S IS WAY BETTER ALONG WITH LOCHNESSIE'S AND PAISLEY BLUE'S
anyway here's mine: https://www.writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/201022/version/410497
:D
a rose
This is lowkey adorable. Some of the lines are just !!!!, including but not limited to "I like how she thinks she can fool me", and the bit about the necklace/ the earbuds. However, you do have a distinct voice so you're wrong. You sound like a nonproblematic Lana Del Ray.
Paisley Blue
re: you're so sweet, thank you! I'm so amazed with how supportive and kind this community is--even after months and months, it still makes me smile. I'm starting to figure myself out a little bit, I think. Very slowly. But hey, I've got my whole life. Right now, I think I might be either genderfluid/bigender/demigirl, but I still have research and waiting and reflection to do. Thank you so much for your support, it means SO much to me <3
I'm glad you liked my poem!
Paisley Blue
Hey, i tried out the prompt! :) https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/200927/version/410277 check it out if you feel like it! thanks so much for the inspiration :D
Anne Blackwood
Oh. My. Gosh. Riley!! This is so beautiful. Honestly I aspire to write as well as you do.
that one rat from ratatouille
just realized i wasn’t following you... i’m so dumb >~< anyways i love this
lochnessie
re: ... (refrains from saying well yours IS BETTER and sticking tongue out) thank you for sharing the great prompt! and yours is b- amazing
Lata.B
Woah i love this! You wrote this so well!
ANSON REYNOLDS
re: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE COMMENT <3333
and your poem is amazing - I loved the beginning and the earbuds line, mannnnn I can relate :)
Tushar Mandhan
when i read this poem, i was wondering who is riley lol i forgot your real name,
lochnessie
https://writetheworld.com/groups/1/shared/200913/version/410251
:) :) :)
lochnessie
re: yay thank you! <3
lochnessie
i adore this!! your writing is amazing :) could i try out this prompt??
Paisley Blue
Woah—I love this! Its really beautiful! What an interesting prompt—would you mind if I try it out? :)) so good to hear from you!!