shelley writes stuff.

Thanks to the Scottish Book Trust for popping this online. This is my first attempt at poetry so... if it's terrible it's terrible.  ‘Rebel’ is a word for other people Rebel is for the innovators, those breaking the rules Whereas for me I am too honest for my own good I always pay in full, never skipping the fare I only cross at the green man, checking both sides I play by the rules, colour within the lines  Even in the day to day, things stay the same Staying in my box, within my little lane Containing myself into a feeling of safety The path, the journey, the proper way Get on the right seats on the right trains All at the same time every day (Unless there are delays. Dismay that things aren’t the right way, the correct way, not to be led astray.) To sit elsewhere, to journey at a different time Is rebellion in the most mundane way But I found myself getting lost in other worlds On screens and through pages Seeing the lives of those more bold and brave Made me ...

Originally written for TWLOHA . Lives here and here too. Foreword: This piece was written for strangers who needed a kind word. It was written for the loved ones in my life who have struggled. And it was written for myself too. These are probably the words that I'm most proud of. ----------------------------------- There are so many reasons to close yourself off to the world. You don’t want people to worry. You want your space and privacy. You have an image to maintain. You don’t want to drag people down. So you cover your heart with armor to keep everyone out. You protect yourself. You’re the fun girl. The laid-back girl. The girl with no story. You float by on “I’m good, thanks” and smiles and always being a good time, dissolving into self-doubt and self-loathing as soon as you’re alone. But eventually that armor can’t protect you any more. It rusts thanks to the poison in your thoughts and the worries and fears coming from your head. You do anything to shut...