It was the dance with death
That set her apart.
The one where she survived
But others of course did not.

Death's cold bone fingers
Wrapped around her scrawny frame
And onto the dance floor they went
To decide her precarious fate.

For the young girl lay dying
In a lonely hospital bed.
Where her only comfort that lay
Was that she wasn't already dead.

Only Death could tell
If she would live through the night.
And it seemed like she would
As they danced away from the light.

Soon the doctors would see
The miracle of her breath.
As she woke up next morning,
Free of the dance with Death.

One person was all it took
To shift the mood of war
Too many had drowned
Much more were downed
So they stood up to fight.

One ship was all it took
To win back enemy tides
Six days they fought
On the last we won
The fight for another day.

One mighty Navy was all it took
For freedom to prevail
One team, one fight
To save the lives
Of the ones we left at home.

A tear for the one
I thought I loved
A tear for the one
I try not to want
A tear for the ones
Who I used to have
A tear for the heart
Who thought it could be loved back.

Black silhouette, against an auburn sky,
Her hair flowed and glowed in the half light.
Golden clouds and creaky boards,
Stretched over the mirrored ocean's view.

She was beautiful, even if I couldn't see her.
Her form was all that mattered.
Relaxed and at ease, calm and reflective.
Nothing else seemed to matter.

Cool fall nights
And bright starry lights.
Relaxed.
My fuzzy warm bed
And sunsets colored red.
Safety.
A worn in book
And the sound of a nearby brook.
Calm.
A loving smile.
A warm hug.
A goodnight kiss.
A constant partner.
Comfort.

Today could have been the day
Where I watched you crawl away.
Soon to stand.
Soon to run.
Soon to come back to me.

Today could have been the day
Where we sat there and played.
Hours with you.
Days with you.
That I would never forget.

Today could have been the day
Where I sent you on your way.
Off to school.
Off to life.
Off and away from me.

Today could have been the day
Where I sat down to pray.
Pray for love.
Pray for life.
Pray of both for you.

Today could have been the day
Where I offered to pay.
For college.
For weddings.
For more time with you.

But today was the day
I remember your joy.
So fleeting.
So pure.
To soon to leave.

Since your first breath
When the lights shone bright
And the night was dark
Forever you were mine.

When you first walked
First spoke to me
And the only word was 'mama'
Forever you were mine.

At your first day of school
Your first recital
Your first PTA
Forever you were mine.

After your first dance
Your first kiss
Your last class
Forever you were mine.

When you left for college
Married your partner
Had my grand babies
Forever you were mine.

When I lay dying
Looking back at life
At our life
I remember that,
Forever you were mine
And forever I was yours.

Cool were the colors of the evening mountain lake
Cool was the breeze that blew across her face.
Cool were her eyes as they gazed back at me.

Gentle were her lips as they sang sweet songs.
Gentle was the water her silk dress dragged upon.
Gentle were the wisps that left her hands.

Bright was the smile she offered me.
Bright were the lights that fluttered off her fingers.
Bright was the day I watched
The most beautiful fairy dance atop the water.

The ever smiling mask she wore
Was the only thing she showed.
No one got between the cracks
To see the tears that always flowed.

The smile painted on his face
It never stopped the pain he had.
For nothing could keep him from
The things that made him sad.

They're lonely. And broken.
Locked away inside their minds.
They're always waiting for the one
Who knows how to break their binds.

All hearts
Contained in their cage of bone
Beat against
Hammer against
Their bars.

Monsters they are
Contained
Confined
Kept against their wills
In that cage of bone.

Rib cage they're called
I think
Hold the most vile things
Monsters that make you feel
Make you wish and hope.

Hearts.

Moving blues
And crashing greens
I don't know
What it all means.

Rolling waves
And steady sounds.
A salty breeze
And water all around.

Beautiful
That's what I think.
Moving blues
Under skies of pink.

Mama always told me
There's no monsters under the bed
What she didn't know was that
It resided in my head.

Dad looked under bed for me
But all he found was dust.
I told him it wasn't there
But in my head it really must.

I couldn't believe there wasn't
Some evil invisible thing.
For in my head that swirled around
Were dark thoughts that reigned as king.

I can't take it much longer
I'm afraid of its mighty grip.
I fear what I'll do
If into its dark I slip.

It was my flowers
So pretty and distinct
That caught your attention.

My spring beauty
Was all that mattered
In your material mind.

So you didn’t bother
To take the time
And learn my roots.

Stuck in place
I was forced to watch
As your life went on.

My beautiful flowers
Were only used
To give to everyone else.

Old were the words
Carved in stone
That laid above a grave.

A mother.
A daughter.
A friend.

But no name
Long ago forgotten
Was she.

Two thousand warriors drew their swords for a war they would not win.

Two thousand warriors fought bravely for a cause they didn't believe in.

Two thousand warriors were cut down quickly by the hands of enemies despite.

Two thousand warriors' souls were reaped on the blood soaked battlefield that night.

Her mind was like a mad house
An eternal prison she stayed
Voices ringing in her ears
To use the sharpened blade.

Despite the yearning feeling
Of the pinch of relieving pain
She must keep it together
She must act completely sane.
No one else must know
Of the crushing feeling inside
To others she holds a mask
Her real feelings she must hide.

No one cared for her name
Though she didn't really mind
As long as she made them smile
As long as to them she was kind.
So her name's been long forgotten
And in her head she dreamed
That things will soon be better
Than what I've previously seen.

Don't worry about the quiet girl
She's accepted her life's cards
Just lend her a gentle smile
And maybe she'll let down her guard.

From star dust to grass blades,
Baby,
I'd traverse it all for you.
For you are not just my sun and stars,
Darling,
You're the whole **** universe.

Darling dearest
With youthful eyes
Why cry tears of loss
When the greatest gift
Has yet to arrive?