Sitting on the floor

Sharp breaths; Rocking back and forth

They can Never know

My thoughts are consumed

And I feel oh so doomed

I hope they don’t know

I know myself now

But am still A bit afraid

I don’t want to tell

I might be ready

But I second guess myself

I will tell them soon

I am confident

I just hope I am ready

Mom, Dad, I am Bi...

I am learning you

How our hands touch, your smile

Blackberries in spring

New parts of you bloom

Bright through the twisting thicket

Fireflies at woods edge

We touch, the comfort

Of years between our edges

Soft rain on the skin

Love made someone new

A deep river growing wider

Honeysuckle drifts

I have fallen deep

Into the habit of love

Cricketsong from high grass...

Umbrellas bloom bright,

Neon carrots, purple beans—

A rainbow in rain.

Rain drumbeats on tents,

Lively chatter, laughter bursts—

Market hums alive.

Soggy socks squelching,

Pickle jars cool, smooth as glass—

Textures weave a quilt.

Mint mingles with mud,

Popcorn popping, earthy steam—

A scent kaleidoscope....

2024

Blue walls are crumbling

How quickly the conjurors are melting away

2025

Budget papers leaked insiders

Not wholly true but close enough

2026

Half term Oranges

And other even more

cumbersome metaphors

2027

Blue walls are still dissolving

with toxic microplasticity

2028

Five years pass, sheep are grazing

in what seem mostly greener fields...

Mustang roars, wind sings,

Back roads map our wild hearts' flight—

Soundgarden blaring.

Hard times, thin wallets,

Love's fabric stretched, yet unfrayed—

Somehow made ends meet.

Storms brew, harsh words clash,

Warm and happy home turns cold.

Still, we chose to stay.

Sorry’s never said,

Broken heart full of regret.

Death swept you away.

New dawn, life renews,

Past love rests in heart's chamber—...

Year One:

Love blooms, hearts entwined,

Vows exchanged, forever bind,

Two souls, unified.

Year Two:

Tiny hands, so sweet,

New life brings joy, love complete,

Mom and Dad’s embrace.

Year Three:

Dark clouds gather near,

Husband strikes, igniting fear,

Shattered dreams, tears fall.

Year Four:

Courage found within,

Precious child she must defend.

Heart heavy, but brave.

Year Five:

Healing l...

Scared of my shadow

My full self wants to say hi

The closet stays locked

I’ve told my friends now

To them I am the same me

But I’m not, I’m more

Bloomed to my full self

I want my parents to know

But they won’t like it

My dad shrugged it off

My mom had a full meltdown

Her dream daughter’s gone

I thought I came out

But I have a girlfriend now

We never discuss...

We were still so young

When we met at “once upon”

Fresh out of grade one

We were only teens

When “you and I” became “we”

Together and free

We were barely grown

When a ring made you my own

And we bought our home

But then you fell ill

You did not get well with pills

Living lost appeal

You could hardly breathe

And the illness killed with ease

Why did you leave me…?...

Year 1:

It’s leukemia.

Chemo, arsenic, blood work.

This is my life now.

Year 2:

Doc said it. It’s gone!

I beat what should have killed me.

I can live my life.

Year 3:

It lingers inside.

Thoughts that it might reappear

Stronger and vengeful.

Year 4:

It didn’t come back.

It won’t. Because it knows me.

I will win again.

Year 5:

It’s Leukemia.

Acute, promyelocytic

but it didn’t win....

Fingers in fingers,

The doctors say I made it,

Married to the day.

Mother gone home now,

Crying into my lunchbox,

Failing to see friends.

Sixth form just in time,

Blossoming character born,

Old friends still with me.

Mother there but gone,

Sticking to the sofa bored,

Job won’t ever come.

About to be there,

My life has a routine now,

Like it should have had....