I always feel sentimental when it rains,
So, on sad days like this I leave the house without an umbrella.

With my headphones in,
listening to our favourite songs,
I walk past your old house.
Or the cheap restaurant we always went to.
Just so I can let my heart feel close to you again.
I must be so pathetic.

but when the rain stops
You will exist only as another memory.
So, I embrace the droplets on my skin,
Even if I do catch a cold.

On sad days like this I cannot help but wonder
if it’s raining where you are,
if you think of me.

So, until the next time it rains, we walk our own paths.

like water
I poured myself into her until she was overflowing at the brim

like reinforced steel
I bridged my heart to hers and welded myself to her soul

like the sun
I filled myself with light to cover her darkness

like a blanket
I shielded her from the harsh world underneath the covers

like magnets
I orbited her aura until we inevitably collided

like a seed
I felt myself growing up from her

Then, like an idiot
I could tell she felt nothing.

You asked me why I like you
But I didn’t want to tell
Some of my reasons are cheesy...
But here is why I fell

I love the way your lips curve
When I make you smile
It makes me want to pull you close
And kiss you for awhile

I love the way your eyes twinkle
When you talk about things you love
I truely believe
You are a gift from above

I love that you are compassionate
You have such a big heart
That was the first thing I noticed
Right from the start

I love the way it feels
When you hold me tight
I finally feel safe
Like I could sleep through the night

I love that you don’t judge me
For my less than perfect self
That is more attractive
Than any amount of wealth

There are so many more reasons
But I’ll start with just this few
Maybe someday
I’ll give this poem to you

:)

****** does that to you...

Phone rings,
It's 1 a.m.
Private number.
I know what that means.
"Hello" I say.
His voice is shakey,
He chokes out the words.
"Mom, I just got arrested,
I'm going to jail."
I took a deep breath,
Giving me time to think
Of the right words to say.
"Ok, I love you.
Don't forget to tell them
That your gonna be sick."
****** does that to you...
"Mom, I should of listened to you.
I'm sorry.
Next time I will."
How many next times,
Thinking to myself.
I can't count how many times he's been arrested,
And sent to juvie or jail.
We both knew this time it would be prison.
****** does that to you...
"That's what you said last time.
But you just keep running back to it.
I know your sorry.
No matter what,
I will always love you.
I am holding you right now baby boy."
He cries even harder.
"Mom I'm scared of getting sick.
I really want a cigarette."
21 years old but he sounds like a 3 year old,
With a high pitched whine.
****** does that to you...
Last time I saw him he looked 35
And probably only weighed 110.
Arms scarred with needle marks
Infected sores throughout his body.
Smelled of sweat and dumpsters
Where he had been digging for food.
I barely recognized him.
Where had my son gone?
He couldn't look me in the eye.
****** does that to you...

L. Mack

6/17/18

Clouds are racing, the rain is raging,
The storm moves in a war its waging.

Take cover and pray on your knees,
Protect loved ones Lord from falling trees.

Hedge of protection we do ask for all,
It is in Your precious name we call.

The sound of thunder approaches near,
Praying will reassure no need for fear.

I know that You can calm this storm,
Bringing everything back to its norm.

At its worst when it kicks up the dust,
Fully trusting in You with faith is a must.

Look at that rainbow high in the sky,
A promise as beautiful as a butterfly.

Thank You Lord for mercy and grace,
It was not our time to see Your face.

VLK

“i hate sweets”
you’d once said
being offered a cake
and having none of it
for you did not like the taste

i wondered why that was
and came to the conclusion
that perhaps the reason
was because you had known
the taste of sweetness for too long
the people around you
they looked at you
talked to you
and they were
too sweet
tooth-achingly so

and maybe that was why you loved me
because i was far from sweet
i was sour
slightly painful
i've been told i'm unpleasant (not by you, of course)

an acquired taste, you'd said

"not unpleasant," were the words you whispered
smile crooked
eyes mellow
relaxed
"just a bit different"

i wondered if you loved me
because i was "me"
or because i was "sour"
because i wasn't "sweet"

so i
covered myself
in candy,
asked you what you think

"my dear,"
you smiled
"i wouldn't care
how 'sweet' you are
for i would still love you"

"but you hate sweets" i countered,
and you
laughed at me
"i also hate the sour taste of lemons," you said
"and you're the most sour person on this earth"

Did you stop to think what it would do?
To your body and mind did you have a clue.

While you were high and speeding,
Family hearts were crying and pleading.

Please oh please stop doing the drugs,
A mother’s heart strings feeling the tugs.

Put it at the foot of the cross they pled,
All Satan’s deceitful lies filling your head.

Stop! Stop! What have you done?
What a tangled mess your life has spun.

On the news they told of a fatal drug bust,
Praying for all involved, In God I trust.

Not knowing where you are, where to look,
When the phone rang my body shook.

It is so hard seeing you in that hospital bed,
Monitors, tubes, and thankful your not dead.

Gunshot barely missed the main artery they say,
Time flashed back to watching you run and play.

Precious child how did we get here so fast,
Why can’t we start over and go back in the past?

Watching the clock surgery is taking so long,
Could something really bad have gone wrong?

The room is closing in and tears continue to flow,
Precious Lord the outcome only you know.

Hours go by with no news on your condition,
I prayed until I seen a smile from the physician.

It was God that spared your life he said,
When you arrived barely hanging by a thread.

I thanked the doctor and praised The Lord,
For your recovery we all prayed in one accord.

Second chances are not always given to all,
Search out Jesus and on your knees fall.

He has watched over you and saved your life,
It is your choice now to avoid the strife.

Jesus has a wonderful life for you planned,
Reach out to him as He embraces your hand.

VLK