jess-born - Hello Poetry

Because I don’t have the patience to perfect brush strokes. Because my hands always fidget when I attempt to draw a circle. Because I don’t have the depth perception to draw out shades. Because I don’t have the eye for fonts & how to center them. Because the only fonts I consider bad are Comic Sans & Papyrus. Because my photos are always blurry. Because I have too much fun turning my skin green in Photoshop. Because why create my own actions when there are filters I can use? Because I don’t have time to practice with an instrument. Because my singing is alright, but I’m no Adele. Because I’m not coordinated enough to be a dancer. Because I’m an artist with no “real skill”. Because sometimes a picture says too much. Because a song will sometimes not say enough. Because vice versa. Because I have so much to say. Because only the right words can say what’s on my mind.

0

Oct 16, 2017

Oct 16, 2017 at 12:52 PM UTC

jess-born

Why do I write?

Because I don’t have the patience to perfect brush strokes. Because my hands always fidget when I attempt to draw a circle. Because I don’t have the depth perception to draw out shades. Because I don’t have the eye for fonts & how to center them. Because the only fonts I consider bad are Comic Sans & Papyrus. Because my photos are always blurry. Because I have too much fun turning my skin green in Photoshop. Because why create my own actions when there are filters I can use? Because I don’t have time to practice with an instrument. Because my singing is alright, but I’m no Adele. Because I’m not coordinated enough to be a dancer. Because I’m an artist with no “real skill”. Because sometimes a picture says too much. Because a song will sometimes not say enough. Because vice versa. Because I have so much to say. Because only the right words can say what’s on my mind.

17

Congratulations on your new job! You have been chosen to do this task. This job belonged to another but she quit. Now, you have the power. I see potential in you. I think you have what it takes. Why did I hire you? Because I could tell you had depth. That there was more to you than what others see. But don't blame them. I am the only one who can notice these things. Don't you agree?

0

Apr 10, 2016

Apr 10, 2016 at 3:16 AM UTC

jess-born

You're hired.

Congratulations on your new job! You have been chosen to do this task. This job belonged to another but she quit. Now, you have the power. I see potential in you. I think you have what it takes. Why did I hire you? Because I could tell you had depth. That there was more to you than what others see. But don't blame them. I am the only one who can notice these things. Don't you agree?

12

The Garden gives & takes, & I give to & take from the Garden. I was hungry, it gave me fruit. I would only eat it if I agreed to share it. I was thirsty so I drank the water. In return, I gave my life and now I thirst no more. A boy was in the Garden. He believed I was made from his rib, but he was not Adam & I am not Eve. He was inflicted by poison, & I gave everything I could to help him, but I wasn't a cure. I tried to share the fruit, but he refused to take it. One day, something in me had changed. I realized I had lost something important. What was once essential & something that I could do, I could no longer do. I left the Garden for a while, thinking the boy would stay there. I had hoped to never return unless the boy was gone. In my absence, the Garden still gave. I packed some fruit in a sack, & poured water in a bottle, thinking I would get by. Eventually, I knew I would have to go back. I knew I was meant to be there. I had been gone for so long. I've become numb. I came back hoping to see blossomed flowers , to feel the wind blowing, to feel any sort of sensation or awe. The Garden was just as beautiful upon my return as it was before. The boy was finally gone. I knew he wouldn't wait there forever, but now I feel nothing. The tools used to decipher emotions had become corrupt as a result of my heart's malfunction. I either can't feel anything, or I refuse to. I feel as though I have become a machine with no feeling. I sometimes doubt I ever will feel again. In times like these, I go to the Garden. The Garden's fruit gives me energy. The water heals my wounds. I still feel numb, but my life is still indebted to the Garden, & I will continue to press on.

0

Apr 3, 2013

Apr 3, 2013 at 4:58 PM UTC

jess-born

The Garden

The Garden gives & takes, & I give to & take from the Garden. I was hungry, it gave me fruit. I would only eat it if I agreed to share it. I was thirsty so I drank the water. In return, I gave my life and now I thirst no more. A boy was in the Garden. He believed I was made from his rib, but he was not Adam & I am not Eve. He was inflicted by poison, & I gave everything I could to help him, but I wasn't a cure. I tried to share the fruit, but he refused to take it. One day, something in me had changed. I realized I had lost something important. What was once essential & something that I could do, I could no longer do. I left the Garden for a while, thinking the boy would stay there. I had hoped to never return unless the boy was gone. In my absence, the Garden still gave. I packed some fruit in a sack, & poured water in a bottle, thinking I would get by. Eventually, I knew I would have to go back. I knew I was meant to be there. I had been gone for so long. I've become numb. I came back hoping to see blossomed flowers , to feel the wind blowing, to feel any sort of sensation or awe. The Garden was just as beautiful upon my return as it was before. The boy was finally gone. I knew he wouldn't wait there forever, but now I feel nothing. The tools used to decipher emotions had become corrupt as a result of my heart's malfunction. I either can't feel anything, or I refuse to. I feel as though I have become a machine with no feeling. I sometimes doubt I ever will feel again. In times like these, I go to the Garden. The Garden's fruit gives me energy. The water heals my wounds. I still feel numb, but my life is still indebted to the Garden, & I will continue to press on.

1

I made a tiara out of Queen Anne's lace, To make a queen out of me. I saw your face in a picture, You looked like you wanted set free. I took a dandelion on that same summer day, & I blew off every last seed. I don't know why yet, Why you were so upset I had nothing left to feed. I made my way to the wedding, & I prayed for my own beautiful chance. My favorite part was when the room would quell As the bride & groom would dance. I suppose I should have known, By the sound of your tone, You did not receive proper desistance. My body got weak, When I found you so meek. But my mind was constructing my stance.

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Aug 12, 2012

Aug 12, 2012 at 1:13 AM UTC

jess-born

Untitled

I made a tiara out of Queen Anne's lace, To make a queen out of me. I saw your face in a picture, You looked like you wanted set free. I took a dandelion on that same summer day, & I blew off every last seed. I don't know why yet, Why you were so upset I had nothing left to feed. I made my way to the wedding, & I prayed for my own beautiful chance. My favorite part was when the room would quell As the bride & groom would dance. I suppose I should have known, By the sound of your tone, You did not receive proper desistance. My body got weak, When I found you so meek. But my mind was constructing my stance.

19

Want to know the secret To a long happy life? Well it’s rather simple First, There’s this thing called The Golden Rule. If you don’t know what that is, Then you’re a fool. Get out of that rock you’ve been living under, What it means is this: Be a gentleman, Hold the door open for others, Because odds are, At least five people will hold a door for you. If you see a starving man, Feed them. Because odds are, If you end up living in a box, At least five people will feed you Second, Get Cultured. Read a book or two. Because odds are, There’s a story about you. Paint a Picture Even if you’re color blind Because odds are, It’s art in someone’s eyes. Broaden your horizons The close minded are weak. Learn a new language Try a different way to speak Or sign Or write Or even read Third, Learn to cook for others Something people can at least chew Because odds are, At least five people have cooked for you. Don’t be afraid to spice things up Have a taste for something Even if no one else craves it. Let someone else lick the spoon If they dare. Fourth, Listen to a new sound Music that is true Because odds are, Someone is singing for you. If your heart is broken, There’s a song for that If you’re just mellow There’s a song for that too. If you’re looking for a song with meaning With words of a poet Or you’re just wanting to feel inspired Odds are, Someone’s got you covered. Five Be brave Choose the bolder thing to do If glasses make you look smarter, Then go ahead and wear them Whether you need them to see or not They may serve as a good luck charm & help you pass that test you’ve cracked open book after book over Or to help you understand that novel you’ve been reading If you’re not too bold for red Wear it proud Either on a dress that flows to your rhythm Or on your lips as you pucker up with pride. If others have an opinion You can pick & choose which ones matter But I advise you not to choose any at all Just smile & wave as if you’re saying “Thanks anyway, but I’m fine.” Because odds are, At least five people have judged you While five others have secretly admired you & have even embraced your unique qualities Finally Embrace your roots as much as possible As much as you’ve dreamed of city lights & hated country living The fact is that’s where you came from & it has value. Because it has made you partially who you are But don’t forget that you are also your own person Your soul is your own as well as your life There are some things that only you can possess You have lots of perks As well as your quirks. Maybe you have the ability to see through the dark & notice the light in the most complicated things & you have no fear as you venture your way to it Maybe you’re brave enough to jump off a waterfall Cannonballing into a strong current One that goes a different direction than your used to Maybe you’re the kid who makes a wish upon a star Or upon the clock at 11:11 & even though it doesn’t come true you keep wishing Maybe you’re the kid who thinks wishing is overrated So you say a prayer instead & you don’t just bow your head Because that’s just a minor detail God doesn’t pay mind to You know He just wants to hear you At least someone does Maybe you’re the one who takes action & would more likely lead a protest for no reason Than stand on the sidelines with a reason to Maybe you’re the kind of man who is confused by art While your children can only paint pictures to get a message to you Maybe you’ll be a proud mother Of another mother’s baby. Maybe you’ll live the longest Out of anyone on this planet. Maybe you’ll cure cancer. “Keep Calm & Carry On” I see on everyone’s mugs Maybe this whole thing is absurd You can correct me if I’m wrong about it all But I will stand for what I believe & I will keep what is mine. I expect everyone to do the same.

0

Jul 7, 2012

Jul 7, 2012 at 1:36 AM UTC

jess-born

How to (Or Not to) ****

Want to know the secret To a long happy life? Well it’s rather simple First, There’s this thing called The Golden Rule. If you don’t know what that is, Then you’re a fool. Get out of that rock you’ve been living under, What it means is this: Be a gentleman, Hold the door open for others, Because odds are, At least five people will hold a door for you. If you see a starving man, Feed them. Because odds are, If you end up living in a box, At least five people will feed you Second, Get Cultured. Read a book or two. Because odds are, There’s a story about you. Paint a Picture Even if you’re color blind Because odds are, It’s art in someone’s eyes. Broaden your horizons The close minded are weak. Learn a new language Try a different way to speak Or sign Or write Or even read Third, Learn to cook for others Something people can at least chew Because odds are, At least five people have cooked for you. Don’t be afraid to spice things up Have a taste for something Even if no one else craves it. Let someone else lick the spoon If they dare. Fourth, Listen to a new sound Music that is true Because odds are, Someone is singing for you. If your heart is broken, There’s a song for that If you’re just mellow There’s a song for that too. If you’re looking for a song with meaning With words of a poet Or you’re just wanting to feel inspired Odds are, Someone’s got you covered. Five Be brave Choose the bolder thing to do If glasses make you look smarter, Then go ahead and wear them Whether you need them to see or not They may serve as a good luck charm & help you pass that test you’ve cracked open book after book over Or to help you understand that novel you’ve been reading If you’re not too bold for red Wear it proud Either on a dress that flows to your rhythm Or on your lips as you pucker up with pride. If others have an opinion You can pick & choose which ones matter But I advise you not to choose any at all Just smile & wave as if you’re saying “Thanks anyway, but I’m fine.” Because odds are, At least five people have judged you While five others have secretly admired you & have even embraced your unique qualities Finally Embrace your roots as much as possible As much as you’ve dreamed of city lights & hated country living The fact is that’s where you came from & it has value. Because it has made you partially who you are But don’t forget that you are also your own person Your soul is your own as well as your life There are some things that only you can possess You have lots of perks As well as your quirks. Maybe you have the ability to see through the dark & notice the light in the most complicated things & you have no fear as you venture your way to it Maybe you’re brave enough to jump off a waterfall Cannonballing into a strong current One that goes a different direction than your used to Maybe you’re the kid who makes a wish upon a star Or upon the clock at 11:11 & even though it doesn’t come true you keep wishing Maybe you’re the kid who thinks wishing is overrated So you say a prayer instead & you don’t just bow your head Because that’s just a minor detail God doesn’t pay mind to You know He just wants to hear you At least someone does Maybe you’re the one who takes action & would more likely lead a protest for no reason Than stand on the sidelines with a reason to Maybe you’re the kind of man who is confused by art While your children can only paint pictures to get a message to you Maybe you’ll be a proud mother Of another mother’s baby. Maybe you’ll live the longest Out of anyone on this planet. Maybe you’ll cure cancer. “Keep Calm & Carry On” I see on everyone’s mugs Maybe this whole thing is absurd You can correct me if I’m wrong about it all But I will stand for what I believe & I will keep what is mine. I expect everyone to do the same.

125

This oak tree Stands so tall, It’s so thick, it can stand against Any windstorm, at any day Wind is all that comes out your mouth I’ve got nothing on you Nor do you on me. If you claim me, keep me. If you don’t, set me free. This oak tree Moves with grace. It moves and sways to the breeze. Its branches, arms in the air, Move to the sound of hallelujah I’ve got nothing on you Nor do you on me. If you claim me, keep me. If you don’t, set me free. & you just keep breaking me. I just wish your love was stable, & I wish your love was free. Cut the oak tree down So fast &hard; that others hear. A million could. If you’re going to build a cabin, At least have a foundation, Or just turn me into firewood. & burn it like our bridges. But this oak tree Doesn’t say much, It doesn’t say anything at all It has nothing to say to you I’ve got nothing on you Nor do you on me. If you claim me, keep me. If you don’t let me be free. Let me be me.

0

Jul 7, 2012

Jul 7, 2012 at 1:15 AM UTC

jess-born

Oak Tree

This oak tree Stands so tall, It’s so thick, it can stand against Any windstorm, at any day Wind is all that comes out your mouth I’ve got nothing on you Nor do you on me. If you claim me, keep me. If you don’t, set me free. This oak tree Moves with grace. It moves and sways to the breeze. Its branches, arms in the air, Move to the sound of hallelujah I’ve got nothing on you Nor do you on me. If you claim me, keep me. If you don’t, set me free. & you just keep breaking me. I just wish your love was stable, & I wish your love was free. Cut the oak tree down So fast &hard; that others hear. A million could. If you’re going to build a cabin, At least have a foundation, Or just turn me into firewood. & burn it like our bridges. But this oak tree Doesn’t say much, It doesn’t say anything at all It has nothing to say to you I’ve got nothing on you Nor do you on me. If you claim me, keep me. If you don’t let me be free. Let me be me.

37

It only takes a few minutes For lighting to flash, & to make a tree fall. A tree so tall it almost touched the sky A tree that provided for its creatures Bearing fruit from a branch As if it were a human Holding out their hand saying, “This is for you”. It stands no longer, With no more to give. While skies are grey Darkening the world With no sign of sunlight We were birds trying to fly While our wings were wet A futile effort. We were drenched, we were cold, & we were tired Tired of fighting this storm. When the wind stopped blowing, & the sun started glowing Through a gap between the clouds I felt dry, I felt like it was safe to leave. So I did. But I was cold & alone, So I came back for you. You welcomed me with open arms & we danced all night.

0

Jul 7, 2012

Jul 7, 2012 at 12:20 AM UTC

jess-born

As the Storm Passes

It only takes a few minutes For lighting to flash, & to make a tree fall. A tree so tall it almost touched the sky A tree that provided for its creatures Bearing fruit from a branch As if it were a human Holding out their hand saying, “This is for you”. It stands no longer, With no more to give. While skies are grey Darkening the world With no sign of sunlight We were birds trying to fly While our wings were wet A futile effort. We were drenched, we were cold, & we were tired Tired of fighting this storm. When the wind stopped blowing, & the sun started glowing Through a gap between the clouds I felt dry, I felt like it was safe to leave. So I did. But I was cold & alone, So I came back for you. You welcomed me with open arms & we danced all night.

31

Tell her what it takes. Tell her everyday that she is beautiful Tell her that she makes you happy Tell her that you’re ok, But only when you really mean it. Don’t scare her away. You never made it easy for me. You once called me Belle & I never realized what that meant Until I cracked open your Beastly shell & noticed a beautiful Prince. But then it slammed shut Almost like a door had closed on my fingers I couldn’t hold on anymore. I’m sick of worrying, Worrying that new scars will be added, Or if he cuts himself too deep. I’m sick of trying to leave, But staying to save his life. I’m sick of only being there in spirit, & not being able to touch him In hopes of a healing. The Legend says this: The Beast will remain a Beast As long as it remains unloved. But I have loved you. The last rose petal still remains. Find her, So that you may become a Prince.

0

Jul 6, 2012

Jul 6, 2012 at 10:53 PM UTC

jess-born

Beauty & the Beast

Tell her what it takes. Tell her everyday that she is beautiful Tell her that she makes you happy Tell her that you’re ok, But only when you really mean it. Don’t scare her away. You never made it easy for me. You once called me Belle & I never realized what that meant Until I cracked open your Beastly shell & noticed a beautiful Prince. But then it slammed shut Almost like a door had closed on my fingers I couldn’t hold on anymore. I’m sick of worrying, Worrying that new scars will be added, Or if he cuts himself too deep. I’m sick of trying to leave, But staying to save his life. I’m sick of only being there in spirit, & not being able to touch him In hopes of a healing. The Legend says this: The Beast will remain a Beast As long as it remains unloved. But I have loved you. The last rose petal still remains. Find her, So that you may become a Prince.

29

There’s a bird perched on a tree high above me He’s singing, Singing is what he does best. As he’s singing, I try to sing along And I’m waiting for affirmation I’m wanting to know If I’m singing this song right, Or if I’m singing it wrong. It’s his song, not mine & he’ll sing it all he wants to. The bird has taken off, and I’m chasing him, I am running so fast and so far I’ve finally found him. He was tired of the buckeye tree So he perched himself on a Cactus. I asked him, “What’s so special about a cactus? Come back to the Buckeye Tree!” But the bird just started singing his song again. So I sing with him. Now I have a new song that I want to show him. I want him to sing my song with me. So I started singing it, But he’s not singing along, Just his own song. The seasons have just changed. His feet are sore from that thorny Cactus & he’s about to take flight again. Maybe now he’ll want the buckeye tree So he’ll be at home with me. There he goes, he’s flying away! So I’m running as fast as I can I’m trying to catch up But this isn’t the way This is isn’t the way I remember, The way to the Buckeye tree. The bird is perched on a Palm tree. I am tired, weary, and out of breath. “A Palm tree! Why a Palm tree? You are a Cardinal! What did you fly away for anyway? Come back to the Buckeye tree! Be at home with me.” But no. The bird just began singing his song. I am done trying to sing along. It’s his song, not mine.

0

Jul 6, 2012

Jul 6, 2012 at 10:06 PM UTC

jess-born

Cardinal

There’s a bird perched on a tree high above me He’s singing, Singing is what he does best. As he’s singing, I try to sing along And I’m waiting for affirmation I’m wanting to know If I’m singing this song right, Or if I’m singing it wrong. It’s his song, not mine & he’ll sing it all he wants to. The bird has taken off, and I’m chasing him, I am running so fast and so far I’ve finally found him. He was tired of the buckeye tree So he perched himself on a Cactus. I asked him, “What’s so special about a cactus? Come back to the Buckeye Tree!” But the bird just started singing his song again. So I sing with him. Now I have a new song that I want to show him. I want him to sing my song with me. So I started singing it, But he’s not singing along, Just his own song. The seasons have just changed. His feet are sore from that thorny Cactus & he’s about to take flight again. Maybe now he’ll want the buckeye tree So he’ll be at home with me. There he goes, he’s flying away! So I’m running as fast as I can I’m trying to catch up But this isn’t the way This is isn’t the way I remember, The way to the Buckeye tree. The bird is perched on a Palm tree. I am tired, weary, and out of breath. “A Palm tree! Why a Palm tree? You are a Cardinal! What did you fly away for anyway? Come back to the Buckeye tree! Be at home with me.” But no. The bird just began singing his song. I am done trying to sing along. It’s his song, not mine.

46