eight ways to win your heart

i.
lyrical,
not in the way you speak,
but in the story
of why you speak so

ii.
a sense of judgment,
but not enough
to get in the way
of happiness

iii.
an appreciation
for the underclass,
the gritty emotive truth

iv.
vigor
for causes
fettered by apathy

v.
bravery,
willingness to listen
to hatred,
in the form of a
hardcore-tinged bass riff

vi.
tolerance-
for those who'd
rather not be
choking on clothes hangers
anymore,
stuck behind closet doors

vii.
patience
for what i do
and for my confusion
about why i do it

viii.
the ability
to keep a secret