“Don’t open your eyes too wide,

Or you’ll never be able to close them again”

Words spoken by a short man

On a rooftop during a sunset

At sixteen you think you know it all

Passing time both slow and fast

Wearing words like my favorite robe

Dripping over every inch of skin

Trying to find their way in

An invisible tattoo that brands you

Altering the meaning

Until they’re something

That feels br...

Underneath the darkest sky

A new moon begins its time

And the stars way up high

Have their moment to shine

Guiding is with the brightest lights

A reminder that it will all be alright

Even the moon sometimes hides

Allowing itself to rest

Slowly growing until it’s full

We, too, go through cycles

Going from empty to brimming

Optimism that shines brightly

Created deep inside of us

Unable to b...

Then suddenly it’s over

As quickly as it began

Another story that will circle its way around my head

Moments frozen like a snapshot in time

Lingering reminders of the people that didn’t last

Choosing to be a part of the past

Then you find yourself a new path

Time goes on, a little less sad

Each new day, the spat

Had no longer makes you feel mad

Finally you start over finding new people that make...

I remember the wagon

And the hill you let go on

The group home we hated

When we were toddlers

I remember the foster family

Where I slept on the floor

You snuck out of your room

Then opened the door

Just put your finger in it

I did as I was told

The day I found out

Electricity felt cold

Do you remember

The burgundy car

And the blanket of wool

The long black curls

Our social worker had

When she to...

Twenty-nine years

Minus four

That’s the time I’ve spent

Longing for your love

If I tried to be skinnier

Made myself pretty

Ensured that my “thighs don’t jiggle.”

And my butt was flatter

Read to make me smarter

Don’t drop below a “b”

Kept my mouth shut at home

But when you’re friends come, I appear

Expected to say the words you want

The thoughts you think

Leave them astounded by my maturity

Maybe ...

All that glitters is not gold

But there you were

Lighting up the room

And I couldn’t stop

Our eyes met - a quick glance

My heart pounding your name

My throat dryer ever moment

You could see the weakness

And I could see your teeth -

Sharp, waiting to take a bite.

I called you out within an hour -

The kind of man that goes around

Collecting hearts to break

Leaving disaster in his wake

By day two y...

They laugh at each joke

My words fall smoothly each time

They tell me I’m pretty, my response “I know.”

They speak to each other

I watch quietly from the side

They show me who they are

And who they wish I was

Time passing by slowly

Observe, collect information

Putting on the show they created in their minds

Be who they perceive me to be

A game of chess with no mate

Losing our pawns and kni...

One step

The another

Hands at your sides

Look straight ahead

Avert your eyes

Deep breath in

Then out

Don’t let them see

Your tremors

A few more steps -

One

Two

Three

Throw it away

Turn around slowly

Eyes to the ground

Smile back - don’t be rude

Step one, step two,

You’re almost back at the chair

His voice booms filling the room

Is my face red now?

Can they tell my hearts pounding?

I pul...

The sun was finally setting.

The weather starting to cooling off -

A chapter found its ending,

A new beginning

After months of solitude

Injured, alone, and scared

Finally, you can hear the laughter

echoing about the room

Filling with love and joy,

Memories made with new friends...

Not all who wander are lost -

I remind myself frequently

I’m wandeding - growing, evolving

I can find the way back, the path not taken won't lead me astray

Time is a concept, so I should be fine

I'm not lost, repeat it until I believe it

Self delusional can be a mastered theme

Convince yourself you're alright

The pain can't suffocate you

You're not alone - the phrase repeated daily

Silence is d...