reluctantly, I awoke

the next day.

and the next and the next.

but today felt different. the air,

the grief, the flashbacks.

they whispered, “you can safely breathe.

you won’t choke on your tears,

suffocate from recent memories.

today, they become treasured.”...

the familiar vanished into the darkness with me left behind

nightmares turned daymares,

only distinguishable by time-

the same time that told me it could heal but was now nowhere to be found

faded memories and jaded futures chased me until my heart was out of breath

unable to outrun this emotional death

held down and crushed, the only offer was for me to abide

why hast thou betrayed me and l...

My eyes close, and all I see is white.

Your glorious light shines bright,

and I’m mesmerized by Your beauty.

My past becomes my present

but feels more like

my forever future.

I’m starstruck,

as I shake hands with those

who have led the way.

Knowing this point in time

was tailored

just for me.

Excited

to get all my questions answered

finally.

What a wonderful journey

to have brought me here,

to...

If I stopped writing you,

would you pen me down,

force my hand to revise my plan,

or would you scribble me out of your page forever?

No need, because you are

the author of my happiness,

the composer of my dreams.

No way I could erase you

from my life

as if you were never even printed.

Second drafts try for my attention,

but who needs rewrites when I have you?

You are my sign from God

that we w...

The life of a caterpillar makes me think of the life of a human accepting Jesus.

Before: slimy, mindlessly meandering through life.

After: light, beautifully soaring through love....

Never had I known her to echo my needs and desires. Caressing parts of me I didn’t even know could be touched and inspired.

Nor existed.

She whispers words that penetrate my soul, creating wholeness in the midst of brokenness.

Nature has become an exquisite lover, and I wonder how I ever lived life without her....

I saw her once

and that’s all it took

for me to become smitten

by her androgynous look

Her infectious smile

brought life to my senses

her unique style was no match

for my heart’s defenses

(The rush is real

when you want to feel

your crush for real.)

Keeping her a fantasy is a must

given my situation

except I had one too many

disclosed my desire

with no hesitation

It was subtle, tho

per...

Written from a space of: the last time I would see her - the love of my life.

——

My body tightens and I feel

the intense climax of our intense journey

Instead of the anticipation

of the deep exhale

I wonder how long I can hold

my breath until

tears turn into rivers

I blinked and here we stand

Can’t turn back now

I frantically want to hold on

while frantically letting go

this paradox...

all eyes on me

ready to see, feel, hear

the words bouncing

off the mic

into the crowd

a piece of me

to be shared

give permission

for ears to

enter my soul

take control

for this brief

dramatic moment

I am all yours

you are all mine

our hearts intertwined

as we dance

to the same beat

my beat

inhale deeply

exhale slowly

I am ready

to take center stage...

As I looked into your eyes, I saw my future go up into flames.

It was a look I had not seen before, so I took my time to analyze it. To be sure.

Never in my worst nightmare would this be my reality. Unfortunately, the premonition was real.

Manifested itself two months later.

I desperately wish you’d kept your eyes closed....