Ash and bone topped with snow,

But not the snow we know,

Snow that suffocates so,

Perched a prying crow,

Dark eyes as deep as night,

Naked trees speckaled white,

Togetherness never so bright,

Only because they had to fight,

Against such biting cold,

The sun downpours through

Smoke,

Smoke and cold mixed with

Snow,

Not a memory you’d want

To hold,

Then appeared another crow

Set on a rope,

P...

I rest my hand on hers, “you’re cold my love.” I look out along the horizon. It’s quiet, except from the sound of the waves slowly lapping against the cliffs. The grass along the banks sways in the light breeze, dandelion wishes dance through them, the green swirls and whirls. The gods lower their fiery torch into the sea, slowly extinguishing the light. Oranges, reds, yellows are painted across t...

I gaze upon her perfect figure,

Pale and flawless,

Smooth like polished ivory,

Cool as frost on a winter’s morning.

Her lips are red,

Like the rose bouquet I gave her,

It was her birthday, after all.

Her dress, white and soft,

Like clouds or pure innocence—

But there’s a stillness in the fabric.

Her neck wears a purple necklace,

New, amethyst perhaps?

Clings tight,

As if to hold her here.

Her ...

Morning dew agaist cold lips

sparkle like tinted blue frost

little bird watches, time pass still

soft etched paths echo with silence

A secret clearing

A special place

slowly passing clouds above

cast shadows on snow white skin

the forest watches over

for a new life to begin...

Curled on my side

one hand over my face

in a hug of silt

snug beneath a mound of alluvial soil

broad-leafed black tupelos once shaded this spot

and they will again

someday

their seeds press my grey skin waiting

to sprout again alongside

wax myrtle and white fingers of summersweet

they whisper

we are patience

we are stories without endings

we are swaying under a future sun

they broke me

and my f...

I smiled as I watched the stars glisten in the night sky, the moon glowing it’s beautiful silver hue. I always feel the most peace during nights like this. A clear night sky, with a gentle Autumn breeze sweeping across the grass.

Each star more dazzling than the last. I want to be up there, shining like them. Beautiful and radiant; comforting.

I don’t think there’s anything more comforting t...

In my room, what you'll find

Is a pretty painted space

Lined with all my favorite coats

Like one that’s furry, big n brown

Covering

A box of all my favorite memories in a worndown shoebox

Holding

All my deepest darkest secrets

Like a letter from my younger self,

Saying

One day we won’t be scared of telling your parents too

-* m.p....

_Her fingers branch_

_Every which way,_

_Like the tree_

_She perches_

_So enchantingly in._

__

_Her body lies_

_Like lightning;_

_As twisted as_

_The silk ribbons_

_Weaved into_

_Her onyx hair._

__

__

**The headline that morning in Oakridge reads:**

**“Woman Brutally Murdered and Woven Into Tree”**...

No longer cutting, I have to feel the small burn and sweaty palm, knowing what I did was wrong.

The whiskey I used to consume is no longer there; the burn of the alcohol masked the emptiness

No longer questioning who I am or who I’m not

I look to 988, knowing they have to let me speak my truth without needing to be ready for someone to feel defensive, as if they need to justify anything

Witnessing...

A million little shards, each reflecting and shimmering in the afternoon sun. Like a thousand little diamonds, he reached a trembling hand to touch one. It was so quiet, peaceful, not a cloud in the sky and yet. A breeze ruffled his hair, the flowers on the hill, the trees. He held the broken piece of glass admiring the beauty of the light radiating from it for moment. A car drove by shattering th...