I am an anchor

Dragging— through

The mushy sand.

My boat is towed

Out to sea.

Swept up by the undertow,

And taken far from me.

Birds don’t chirp

Lullabies,

Lovely as

I walk by.

Instead they sound

The sirens.

Blaring

Wailing

Shrieks of the past.

I hold my breath—

Deep under water.

My ears, they ring—

My heart, she pounds—

My voice cant scream,

Cant make a sound.

I’ve got this boulder.

That was p...

My biggest lie

I was able to tell,

Was the smile

I forced on myself.

For years

And years,

No one could tell,

I was actually living in hell.

Battered and bruised,

I covered myself

In a dark hoodie and jeans

With socks

Up to my knees,

And giant sunglasses

That cover

Half of my face.

And in ninety-seven degrees

No one questioned me.

Hell took its toll,

Breaking me down,

Till I was nothing but ashes...

Fingers SLAM—

Down on the screen.

Texts fly by

Past serious eyes.

Huff

Sigh

Legs swing

Under the kitchen

table.

Like a seesaw

Sweat drops glistening—

Down

A forehead.

Sun

Behind

The shades.

Phone in hand.

Gripping tight.

Count—

To three.

Before

Relying.

But only make

It

To one....

The howling wind chilled my bones, sending shivers straight down to my core. I walked both slowly and without hesitation across the icy lake.

The devil swirled the waters beneath me, and I could see it stirring like the wind below the thin layers of snow.

I tugged at my hat, keeping it firmly on my head. I could feel the blue shards of ice creeping up my fingers and into my hands. I tottered on ...

I where her like a cross or star,

Religiously around my neck.

Her shining, silver feathers give me strength—

Her beauty gives me grace—

Her love gives me courage—

To continue flying

On through storms of ignorance and hate.

When I feel the winds of resistance,

I meet them with resilience.

When I feel the flames of anger,

I meet them with honor.

When I feel the tears of hate,

I meet them with for...

I’ll sing out loud

When my heart and soul

Reach the stars

Shining in the sky.

Finally,

Then

I’ll be able to fly free.

I will spread my wings

And my colors will glow

Because I’ll finally be home—

Up in the sky,

With the stars

And their love....

I’m longing here

Beneath the stars

And hoping for a miracle.

That one day

The hate will fade

And love will conquer all.

I have this dream,

That peace lies here,

Covering the Earth

In its warm embrace.

I hope for a love

For everyone

That is unwavering in strength.

Because when I wish

Upon a star

I feel tears burning in my eyes

And I hear my pain

Aching in my voice—

Because all I’ve ever wanted

Was ...

Loving you is like a breath of fresh air

On an early spring morning.

Loving you is like a warm cup of coffee

On a cold winter day.

Loving you is the most important thing

I have ever done.

Each morning, I watch the crows caw

In the dreary landscape of the dead corn fields.

They peck at the ground in blind motion,

Like the way I used to walk through my life.

I would walk slowly down the path

No...

My darling Maxine,

It is with a heavy heart I write you this letter, knowing that if you are reading my words now it can only mean that I am no longer here to tell them to you.

Your love has been the greatest part of my life. I need you to know that. Remember it in the years to come after I’ve gone.

These past few months, I haven’t been completely honest with you. It took all my strength to keep...

My toes are in the sand,

The warm outter layer breaking away

Revealing a cool undertone, like the sound of a flute,

Soft and sweet, melodic.

The gentle crash and fold

Of the waves guide my breath.

Rhythmic and calm, melodic.

My heart beats like waves

splashing up against kelp covered rocks.

Strong and steady, melodic.

My skin laps up the sun’s peachy, gold rays

Observing the warmth like the lov...