Writings

This page is exclusive to excerpts of Madeline's writings. 

Click here to see pieces that combine drawing and writing.

TEXT

I want you in my Heaven with me. I believe that's all love is, really. [It's] no wonder that alone isn't enough. /

When I was younger and I didn't believe in God and I wanted to, /

I asked what Heaven looked like. /

"All of your [favorite] things and people — everyone you love — it's all there, and everybody is happy, /

For ever." /

But I didn't understand. /

"What if I want someone in my Heaven, but they don't want to be in mine?" /

The idea of For ever scared me[,] /

For ever is a long time.

2026

TEXT

It certainly is and certainly does feel larger than life, this love we hold and buzz with and /

this understanding we forget sometimes that it hardly /

has anything to do with either of us. I'll /

love you, I promised once; I must have. I'll /

miss you, I confessed once and will again.

2026

TEXT

Leaving is all it takes to change and coming back is all it takes for anyone to notice. /

This is why some people never leave and why some people never come back.

2025

TEXT

And here is and here I'll be the sacrifice you require /

and it is of my flesh and I'm the only one who believes you are too /

and the only one still unaware that all you want with fresh meat and warm blood is to consume it. /

The mirror and requiring it are a symptom of a trapped soul /

and happily shattering yours when the option of filing it down to a pocket size /

and the ability to tack it on your wall have both presented themselves to you— /

am I to be the most upset over your attempt at whittling me away, /

your refusal to keep me as your trophy , /

or your complete willingness to break me into pieces and not stick around long enough to /

sweep me up?

2025

TEXT — on "I love you like the drive home," a misheard lyric by Brianna Collins of Tiger's Jaw

I love you like being here means you're leaving soon; like /

there's no other choice or we're just stranded here together, like /

we both understand without having to say it that anything is better than that, like /

I can get some rest and you can take one for the team. /

I love you like I'll miss you, like /

I'll see you soon.

2026

TEXT 

I have felt what it means to be a man /

that nobody believes is real /

brought forth from the /

body of a young woman /

brought forth through the [valley] of the [shadow] of death /

never in darkness because /

I am the light /

never abandoned but /

always alone. /

Formed from nothing but will and power and /

called any way to be nothing but grace and love. /

Of course I believe in Jesus, /

of course I believe in my self. /

I believe in my self because Jesus believed in Himself and because /

I believe I am made in His image and because /

I believe you are too.

2025

TEXT 

"No, yeah, go on." /

Intrigue not too far from indifference and /

far too close to love. /

I know and don't know about equally and /

neither one a lie /

why I love you so; /

why I wait and long for you as I do and /

why I picture my picture inside of your /

helmet right next to what's left /

of your brain; /

left of your love for me, sin ful as /

ever, blood of a n /

ever virgin running to me and /

dripping out and a /

way.

2026

TEXT 

I remember that July /

into August and on; /

the sick in my body, /

the blood you had drawn; /

the sour bile smile that /

got stuck in my throat. I /

prayed that you'd love me; I/

know that you don't. /

The sweet sweat cooled down /

my humid heart and I /

trudged about aching for /

even a part of your /

peace parade image or your /

pity party soul; /

we can still lie together if I /

deepen the hole.

2026