Home is the feeling, Of cookies, And tea, And warmth. Home is the place, Where you belong, Where you feel safe, Where laughter echos about the room. Home is the feeling, Of crystals, And moonlight, And black cats. Home is the place, Where you can live without being judged, Where you can breathe, Where you can feel loved. Home is the feeling, Of sunlight, And golden retrievers, And evergreen plants. Sometimes home isn’t a place, Sometimes home is a person, Sometimes home is a feeling, Sometimes home is a thing.

oversharing over-caring you never made it fair lovesick girls with golden curls too much for them to bare laughter echoed around the room as you walked in and called our doom spill my guts on these pages spill my guts on the floor you hovered for ages stood at the door just breathe, my dear it’ll all be fine oh no, i fear i’ve crossed the line the lovesick girls with golden curls i’ve gone to join them there for pretty boys with many ploys and a million reasons not to care

It was you It always will be you It was you when we met It was you when we ended It was you when I went away to college It was you when I got engaged It was you when I ended things It was always you I tried to find you In everyone else But no one Ever came close It was still you when you got married It was still you when you had a son I’m afraid it will always be you Even if you remarry Even if we’re 40 Even if we’re 50 Even if we’re old and gray I’m afraid It will always be you I’m so afraid You’ll even be dead and gone one day And it will still be you I don’t know how For it not to be you

10 tiny toes cascading down the couch Each wiggling with in anticipation Her tiny hands displaying the most innocent form of greed I hear her count 1, 2, 3, come look for me! I take heed and begin the search for my tiny niece Like a lion I stalk the couch With each slap of my paw I roar as I grow closer 10 tiny toes cascading down the couch Each wiggling dangling above auntie lions mouth I count 1, 2, 3, these toes must be for me! I devour the imaginative fun as laughter echoed about the room You’ve got me she declares I wrap her up in my arms like a lion cub And whisper my baby niece you will always be and whenever you need me it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Laughter echoed about the room, The tormenting sound coming from his lips. His eyes, dark and soulless, gave me chills As I stare up in pity. He speaks of true killer And strikes when least expected. That’s how I lost my parents And everybody else I cared for. Killer; the word just suits him well. Victim; a word that tests my fate. He slaughtered amore than five dozen And I know I am next. He bounces on the balls of his feet, Ready to strike at any moment. His head tilted and eyes narrowed, Looking, searching for the right opportunity. However, I never knew freedom tasted so good, For he released me with a sigh. I shot up and ran to get away from him, But I collapsed, choking, bleeding out on the floor.

“Hey do you guys want to go to the igloo?” Lyla asked aloud. “Ahem. Our igloo.” Anouk said in a snarky manner “Yeah. Ours.” Izzy chimed in. Let me explain. The igloo is basically a little spot behind a net on the field at recess. My best friends Izzy and Anouk “founded it” and let me share it with them. We invited two people, Lyla and Rosie, to join us in it one day at snack and then that recess, they sat in it again. So anyway, me, being a very generous person, said: “Cmon guys. Let’s let them come in.” I pushed. “Yeah!” Rosie agreed “Yeah you guys should totally let us in. Thanks Lily.” Lyla said. I nodded, very satisfied with what I had done. “No you may not come in our igloo!” Anouk yelled. Here we go again. Izzy and Anouk ran to the igloo and baseball slid in. Rosie and Lyla sat in the secluded area that was mainly supposed to be cut off from civilization. Izzy and Anouk lay down on the turf, and I snagged the rope swing. Lyla started talking about books to Rosie so I went and sat with them. “Lyla,” Rosie announced, “I have something to tell you. I’ve started the Unwanted’s.” Pause. Lyla really loves The Unwanted’s and has been trying to convince Rosie to read it and now she finally is! “Eeeeeeeeee!” Lyla shrieked. Oh no. Here comes the pestering. “What part are you on? You’re really reading it? Omg I’m so excited!!!” Lyla and Izzy yelled together. After Lyla and Izzy stopped going crazy, we finally started talking in a quieter tone and not screaming. “Anouuuuk. Izzzzzyyyy. Come sit with us.” I managed to slur my voice like Anouk always does. “Nooooo I’m trying to nap.” She replied back “Did you not get any sleep last night again?” I asked. “Yeah.” She said back. She never sleeps. Always up all night reading watt pad. Typical. “Hey Lyla. Pass that lacrosse ball to me.” Anouk pointed to the lacrosse ball at Lyla’s feet. Lyla attempted to throw it to her and I swatted it out of the way. Anouk’s eyes lit with fire. “Lily! Gimme the ball!” Anouk screamed. “Hehe.” I said with a smug grin. Anouk stomper toward Lyla, Rosie, and I. Lyla being the super brilliant person she is, ducked under the net and went to the other side. Rosie and I followed and Anouk came after us. Laughter rang about the igloo. I threw the ball to her and she stopped attacking us. We went back into the igloo and Lyla started weaving a rope threw the net. “Whatcha doing?” I asked. “Creating a mini opening in case Anouk tries to attack you again.” “Thank you so much.” I said “It’s for me. Not you.” She said. “Well ok then.” I crossed my arms. She pulled it down and it created a mini opening. Like I said, brilliant. The snack bell rang for us to go inside so we grabbed our things and headed in. Yup. That’s the igloo for you. It’s our recess home.

Laughter echoed about the room What has you glowing and smiling they ask Oh nothing I respond They know I’m lying and so do I Happiness has never looked as good as it did on me Happiness shines brighter than any star On me My heart did cartwheels and summersaults Energized by love and peace What is this feeling that has filled my vacant body How do I make sure it’s here to stay for good How do I bottle this joy How do I bottle this laughter How do I bottle us -Chelsea Alexandra

This house doesn’t sleep Love creeps Allows you to feel who’s in it Way past being a kid Something that sticks within Magic doors The smile of child On an adventure In a house Full of melting zones Springs in my couch Isn’t something I’ve heard before Innocent laughter Echoed about the rooms Hope it’s safe to be ignored It’s a new couch she’s bought Mom’s not going to like this at all.

Standing alone in the room You were always a shrew Personally, it’s getting better Almost, I sent you a letter Stating how I really felt You were apart of the Bible Belt You won’t throw that life you have We do nothing expecting something Meant to be thrown all around Without some sort of sound Climb for more progress Slowly as the knife gives a sharpness Don’t expect something less Heart dying slow Laughter echoed about the room

when the lights dim, the music stops, standing there breathless the crowd distorts, faces shifting to masks of tragedy laughter echoed about the room i bow