i don't understand why you always see me as
sassy
i won't deny that sometimes you are
right
but most of the time i'm tryin' to be
classy
while you drive me crazy every
night.

don’t make me roadtrip
across four states
don’t make me drive
for nine hours;
to convince you to return
to remind you of the truth
to make you see the path
you are being called to.
to convince you He has a plan
to remind you of the passion inside
to make you choose this life
you are being called to.

be bold, brave, courageous
never let fear hold you down;
be an unstoppable fire
and turn this world around.

i went down to florida
and came back with pneumonia,
maybe due to my life so busy
running and running and getting so dizzy,
always managing to stay on track
costing my sleep to be in major lack,
pushing myself past every limit
enjoying it all and never feeling timid,
but everyone said i'd eventually hit a wall
i guess they were right after all.

today we decided to bake a cake.

it was my idea really,
you said you were the expert,
but i wanted to help.

i poured water and oil
while you cracked eggs,
then i stirred and stirred
until you poured it in the pans.
you placed them in the oven
that i avoided
because it is my greatest
fear.

we waited until they were done
we waited until they cooled
so that we could decorate.

again you took charge,
but i didn't mind
because i could've watched you all day,
taking your time-
so delicate, fragile, gentle.

your handwriting is beautiful
and you wouldn't let me write,
so i chose to respond
with a frosting fight.

we chased each other in circles,
in circles we chased each other.

you grabbed my wrist
(if only you decided
to interlock our fingers,
i wouldn't have minded).

so i grabbed your wrist
and we danced around-
our feet were pound (ing)
frosting hit the ground
we laughed with a joyous sound
and then you found...

the perfect opportunity.
you smeared it in my,
face
nose
hair
clothes,
so i chased you up the stairs
and you tried restraining me,
i chased you down the stairs
and you helped me see,
that we had no time left
for fun,
we had to finish the cake
we begun.

so i grabbed the sprinkles,
you caught the ones that fell;
i handed you the candles,
frantically listening for the door bell.

it came too soon
we had to hurry put everything in random places act like everything was normal
because the cake was a surprise.

later we finished,
you lit the cake,
it was truly beautiful,
what we can make,
when we work together.

'tis a season for joy

a season for-
jolly good times with loved ones held dear
ornaments to display our holiday cheer
yuletide carols sung for a King so near

a season for-
jubilation found in selfless opportunities
optimistic spirits filled with generosity
young and old to gather in community

where no matter-
gender or age
culture or race
poor or wealthy
sick or healthy

no matter your circumstance
you can still choose
joy

the season has begun
and tonight was oh so fun
it was the first dinner of many
we had turkey a plenty
yet there was only one lone
wishbone.
i knew right then and there
and maybe it wasn't fair,
that i had to be the one to break
i had to be the one to make
a wish and hope for it to
come true.
so i grabbed one end
and it started to bend,
i couldn't believe my eyes
when in my hand was the bigger size
which means my wish about you
will possibly come true.

they say i'm a dreamer
they say i dream too much
but is that even possible?
to dream so much that
you run out of dreams?
that would be a sad thing really.

they say i'm a dreamer
they say i dream too much
but is it something you can limit?
only if you give in to the words
and stop believing in the limitlessness.
that would be a sad thing really.

they say i'm a dreamer
they say i dream too much
that i'm wasting my time
but am i?
my days are brighter with dreams
they give me hope for the future.

they say i'm a dreamer
they say i dream too much
is it because they have none?
so they choose to accuse
and discourage an innocent soul?
maybe they need hope for the future.

they say i'm a dreamer
they say i dream too much
and i set my goals too high
and i should be ashamed of myself
but i'm not. i love who i am
because i'm a dreamer.

negative temperatures
may keep me away from school,
but negative temperatures
can't keep me from you.

dear uncle,
i began flipping through old photos
and was reminded of you.
it has been over a year
but right now my:
eyes are filling with tears
heart is breaking into pieces
lungs can't get enough oxygen
body wants to shut down.

i took you for granted
i pushed you away
i'm the worst niece because
i ignored you everyday,
even when i remembered
to pray.

i thought you would break through
i thought you would break free
i know it was an accident
but can't you see,
how it's hurt everybody,
including me.

it's hard to believe
it's hard to understand
you came to church with us three days before
but things don't always go as planned,
and i was too worried about me
to even shake your hand.

i wish i could go back in time
i wish i could be genuine
let you know that i love you
because maybe then,
i wouldn't have these regrets
and be stuck here with only my pen.

i know where you are
i know you're in a better place
but it feels like so long
until i get to see your face,
again.

when people are
suffering
in deep pain
pain that is greater
than the pain you feel,
how can you think about
yourself?

when you can
survive
in discomfort
discomfort that is less
than the discomfort they feel,
how can you think about
yourself?

when they need
healing
so much more
more that is desired and
even more than you need,
how can you think about
yourself?

the truth is
i can’t.

their pain can’t be ignored,
your pain can’t be ignored.

i would live every day with
my pain
if it meant everyone else was
forever healed.

but someone else already paid that price
and his name is
Jesus.

recognize the familiar rat-a-tat-tapping on your window,
pull the worn blinds and close the sheer curtains,
extinguish every bright light for the time being,
patiently wait criss-crossed on your bed with book in hand,
listen for the humming to cease (silence),
and return back to normal life
as the junebug survives another night.

if only you knew
how i felt inside
as you stared into my soul
and locked eyes with mine,
if only you knew
how my heart cried
as you sang to me
your beautiful lullaby.

appreciation for
taking the time to genuinely know me
gaining my trust and honesty

appreciation for
ability to be myself completely
endless conversations and stories

appreciation for
explaining things i don’t understand
being intentional whether spontaneous or planned

appreciation for
never pressuring outside my comfort zone
choosing respect with an accepting tone

appreciation for
opening the door and showing chivalry
authentic love for Jesus and ministry

appreciation for
always making me smile and laugh
developing a friendship that’ll last

appreciation for
slowly finding the next girl to date
a best friend who’ll patiently wait

she is a
glowing gleaming glorious
flower
in the midst of a
sea of gray.
she is a
radiant righteous ray
of shimmering sunlight
in a clouded world.
and she carries
a golden heart
full of
hope.

writer’s block
writer’s block
pearl necklace
alarm clock
window one
window two
penny jar
cowgirl shoe
books on the left
books on the right
beside my bed
lamp for night
count the instruments
count all four
stuffed monkeys
creaky door
walls of yellow
walls of wood
trinkets from
childhood
frames here
frames there
flowers are
everywhere
red candle
orange candle
giant mirror
bronze handles
full closet
empty trash can
tie blanket
ceiling fan
writer’s block
writer’s block
time to go
for a walk

(1) the same sky that covers me covers you,
my sky is gray and yours is so blue.

(2) i just wanna hold you close and hug you tight,
i wanna hold your hand and kiss you goodnight.

(3) tomorrow you board the ship, what a wonderful trip it’ll be,
as you sail along the bluest of waters, remember to think of me.

(4) i love the sound of your voice for it is so sweet,
i cannot wait until again our lips meet.

(5) amidst the clouds the sun is brightly shining here today,
but still your smile shines brighter in every single way.

(6) over forty eight hours since i last heard you speak,
but you’ll be home from the sea in less than a week.

(7) i can’t help but wonder if you’re still alive and real,
for your strong arms and sweet kiss are what i can’t wait to feel.

(8) the distance continues to drive me insane,
but our love is stronger and it will always remain.

(9) forever i’ll be waiting for you and watching the skies,
because i miss you more than you’ll ever realize.

(10) you’re back in this country which is a great sign,
for soon your hand will interlock with mine.

(11) the anticipation grows as the hours ever decrease,
for tomorrow my heart will be complete and finally at peace.

(12) finally we’ve reached this long awaited day,
my love is coming home and my love is here to stay.

tell me why
all of a sudden
you’ve been on my mind
lately,
outside of the
random thought or two;

jumped to conclusions at first, but please
understand I wouldn’t mind
slowly taking the
time to know you more
instead of losing a
chance at friendship, because
everyone deserves a second chance.

from the rising of the sun on the first day,
to the setting of the sun on the last,
and everything in between-
     rain falling
     trees budding
     birds chirping
     life awakening,
it is a time to celebrate.
it is a time for poetry.

it is time for hidden authors to reveal-
     broken
     emotional
     marvelous
     beautiful
     works of art,
their poems.

sharing our deepest feelings
with complete strangers,
placing thoughts on the chopping block
awaiting criticism and judgement;
but somehow, never having seen their face
they understand.
because,
it is a time to simply
be here for each other.

it is April.

i have this friend
this crazy talented friend
mi compañera en la clase de español cinco
my faithful lunch buddy
the one who inspired me
to pick up the pen again
and open my mind
and let the words flow onto the page
without thinking
or second guessing.
and i'm so grateful for her.

if i gave you access
to my thickest thoughts
and my deepest dreams,
if i let you see
the words that persistently pour
from my hopeful heart and soul,
how would you respond?

would you come to life
with enlightened eyes
and a glowing grin,
or would you
turn and rudely ridicule
while destroying dreams,
leaving me in agony?

my heart cries,
take me back!
my soul longs,
take me back!
let's go to Columbus
where we spent a week under the
shining summer sun
adventuring downtown
and there was never a frown
upon my face.
where we spent a week
singing soulful songs
at the top of our lungs
with the rest of our young
generation.
where we spent a week
powerfully and purposefully praising
our one true King
who is high above everything
and all we are.
where we spent a week
beautifully bonding
with those who don't care about fame
and are the same
as us.
my heart cries,
for when
my soul longs,
for when
we go next year to Orlando
where i know without trying
i will fall in love with you,
all over again.