Covers over my head, Unaware of the world, Content in the familiar, The sunlight streaks in but I do not see, An opportunity lay outside my window but I do not know, They say ignorance is bliss, I say truth is joy, So I remove the veil, Vulnerable but free, My eyes adjust to the light, Finally I see, My ignorant bliss was cause of ignorant living, This is what it means to be alive, Keeping your door open, Light, Love, Faith, Opportunity, Once suffocated in darkness now welcomed in by the open door, So I awakened with the light, Truly living

“But you’re not like him…” Layla spilled these jagged words to Ronan her friend of 5 years as they stood in the dim light of her front porch. The night air standing still and the crickets around them harmonizing their song. Ronan had come to profess his love for his close friend after seeing that her being with another man was destroying him.

My gaze is fixed on Layla as the words that fell out of her mouth punched my gut. I shouldn’t have come, my heart whispered in hurt. Tears well in my eyes and suddenly I couldn’t breathe. “Of course I’m not!” I shout, “I still care when I shouldn’t, I love when it’s hard, and I stay when all you do is push me away now a days… I’m not him at all, I’m your best friend.”

Layla knows he’s right but this fire that’s been made in her heart can’t be put out. “I’m sorry Ronan… I know you love me I see that now, but you weren’t the one to bring me flowers, to talk about our relationship, to take me out for a candlelight dinner, to be the first man who says he wants me.”

I reach out in faith and take Laylas hand in mine, “I’m sorry I was scared I’ll admit and I should have been the first man to tell you this but my love for you goes deeper than romance. My love would move the earth for you, make the stars dance, and cause flowers to grow in your name. So please… give me a chance to show you that I can be more than your friend. That I don’t have to be _him _to be good.”

The fire in Laylas heart flickered, then burned brighter with a different kind of flame. Layla looked taken aback as if this was her first time really seeing him. Ronan tilted her head up with his finger ever so gently. Leaning in they kissed and the long burning flame in Ronans heart finally met hers.

I want to feel, I want to know. I want to love, I want to grow. I want to see, I want to be. If only this life were meant for me. Racing ahead, falling behind. When will time, be on my side. This time I tried. Came out still blind.

When will I feel, when will I know. When will I love, when will I grow. When will I see, when will I be. Will waiting and hoping give me these?

I finally feel, I still don’t know. I have a love, I’m waiting for growth. I’m trying to see, and I’m letting be. Life looks different in this sea for me.

Each fish “sea’s” differently… The water doesn’t choose it’s current for each fish. So go with the flow!

One day you’ll feel. One day you’ll know. One day you’ll love. One day you’ll grow. One day you’ll see. One day you’ll be. Life works out exactly… hold on for one day. “Just keep swimming.”

The same wooden frame, rustic shelves, soft music, lively plants. Every familiar comfort of my beloved bookstore except this distinguished feeling I couldn’t figure out. Usually on tough days I find solace within the romance section. So that’s where I went firstly. A velvety red spine with fancy lettering caught my eye. “The chosen princess” is what it read. I’ve never been into fantasy but the little girl in me beckons me to at least admire the cover. Who am I to say no to that? I gently pull the heavy book off the shelf and into both hands. “Wow,” I mouth. It has unexpected weight but the intricate crown design on the cover makes up for it. Feels like it hasn’t been opened in ages I think as I flip through. I shrug and set it back in it’s place but the moment I let go the lettering on the spine glows. Bright and gold it shines. My hand freezes. Stunned. The shelf starts to tremble. I shriek. Books go tumbling but the velvet book stays put as the lettering continues to grow brighter. Blinded. My eyes water and I shield my face. My day is just FANTASTIC. I needed more ridiculousness to finish it off. Once the glistening behind my fingers are gone I slowly bring my hand back to my side. Weird. There’s no mess… and no book? I start scanning the shelves for the mysterious book. Nothing. That’s more than enough for me to handle today so I lock up shop and head to my car. I drive my small pearly SUV back to my apartment and fish for the keys in my purse that I set beside me. Once I get up to the apartment, the door is cracked open. Did I forget to shut it? Nothing seems out of place stepping in. Except that red velvety book sitting on my coffee table opened to the first page. Panic rises within me because clearly I have a stalker, so slamming my door and closing the blinds seemed like the right thing to do. I turn on the lamp beside my couch and peer over the book. The first page reads, “Victoria Lane, the one I’ve traveled time to find. I’ve sent this book of magic for you. You may not know us but we know you. You’re a prophesied princess chosen by the gods to save our fallen kingdom. When you’re ready, follow the instructions on the next page and the book will take you back to me. I need you Victorica. My parents are dead so I have a weight I cannot bear alone. Sincerely, prince Axton.

I lift my head to look down at my lifeless body. There’s a blinding light blaring into my eyes as I rest my head back down laying on something cold. How long have I been here on this table? Days? Months? Years? Questions fade in and out as do my consciousness. I hear my heart beating in my ears and faint whispers around me. Who are they? “Please,” a voice barely I can hear, “help me.” I hear the people around me, “He’s awake! Put him back under.” Then my mind grows quiet. I shouldn’t have told anyone about the voices in my mind. The one’s that told me the world’s secrets, its treasures, untold history. What began with silly coincidental thoughts turned to my reality. Now I trust that voice and it tells me I’m not safe anymore.

The summer breeze tossed Joshua’s hair as he glanced out at the ocean one last time, he kept continuing down the boardwalk. People buzzing past bliss written on their faces. Families, couples, friends. The only person that made him feel so happily unaware of the world was captured in a locket tossed into the ruthless waves… long gone by now.

Void of your presence in my life, A sunflower without the sun, Somber surrounding, If this was all the sunflower had to appreciate, Content, But the sunflower learned the sun, So the pedels wilt and the stem bows down in grief, Down to the earth it cries, Letting the tears fill its roots, Drowing without rays of comfort, Praying to see the sun in another lifetime