“Don’t open your eyes too wide,
Or you’ll never be able to close them again”
Words spoken by a short man
On a rooftop during a sunset
At sixteen you think you know it all
Passing time both slow and fast
Wearing words like my favorite robe
Dripping over every inch of skin
Trying to find their way in
An invisible tattoo that brands you
Altering the meaning
Until they’re something
That feels br...
Underneath the darkest sky
A new moon begins its time
And the stars way up high
Have their moment to shine
Guiding is with the brightest lights
A reminder that it will all be alright
Even the moon sometimes hides
Allowing itself to rest
Slowly growing until it’s full
We, too, go through cycles
Going from empty to brimming
Optimism that shines brightly
Created deep inside of us
Unable to b...
Then suddenly it’s over
As quickly as it began
Another story that will circle its way around my head
Moments frozen like a snapshot in time
Lingering reminders of the people that didn’t last
Choosing to be a part of the past
Then you find yourself a new path
Time goes on, a little less sad
Each new day, the spat
Had no longer makes you feel mad
Finally you start over finding new people that make...
I remember the wagon
And the hill you let go on
The group home we hated
When we were toddlers
I remember the foster family
Where I slept on the floor
You snuck out of your room
Then opened the door
Just put your finger in it
I did as I was told
The day I found out
Electricity felt cold
Do you remember
The burgundy car
And the blanket of wool
The long black curls
Our social worker had
When she to...
Twenty-nine years
Minus four
That’s the time I’ve spent
Longing for your love
If I tried to be skinnier
Made myself pretty
Ensured that my “thighs don’t jiggle.”
And my butt was flatter
Read to make me smarter
Don’t drop below a “b”
Kept my mouth shut at home
But when you’re friends come, I appear
Expected to say the words you want
The thoughts you think
Leave them astounded by my maturity
Maybe ...
All that glitters is not gold
But there you were
Lighting up the room
And I couldn’t stop
Our eyes met - a quick glance
My heart pounding your name
My throat dryer ever moment
You could see the weakness
And I could see your teeth -
Sharp, waiting to take a bite.
I called you out within an hour -
The kind of man that goes around
Collecting hearts to break
Leaving disaster in his wake
By day two y...
They laugh at each joke
My words fall smoothly each time
They tell me I’m pretty, my response “I know.”
They speak to each other
I watch quietly from the side
They show me who they are
And who they wish I was
Time passing by slowly
Observe, collect information
Putting on the show they created in their minds
Be who they perceive me to be
A game of chess with no mate
Losing our pawns and kni...
One step
The another
Hands at your sides
Look straight ahead
Avert your eyes
Deep breath in
Then out
Don’t let them see
Your tremors
A few more steps -
One
Two
Three
Throw it away
Turn around slowly
Eyes to the ground
Smile back - don’t be rude
Step one, step two,
You’re almost back at the chair
His voice booms filling the room
Is my face red now?
Can they tell my hearts pounding?
I pul...
Not all who wander are lost -
I remind myself frequently
I’m wandeding - growing, evolving
I can find the way back, the path not taken won't lead me astray
Time is a concept, so I should be fine
I'm not lost, repeat it until I believe it
Self delusional can be a mastered theme
Convince yourself you're alright
The pain can't suffocate you
You're not alone - the phrase repeated daily
Silence is d...
