A golden flower glimmers on the lush forest floor
But its petals ripped out, crushed, its beauty no more
A tangle of thorny vines grows around my chest
Tightening and suffocating, allowing no rest
A slithering snake pounces on a tiny mouse, the mouse loudly shouts
The snake quickly squeezes and the squeals of terror die out
The ocean waves appear calming, rhythmic in their beating
But stuck in their swell, tossed around, my lungs begin bleeding

You can explain how the snow falls
Each frozen flake descending from the sky
You can show me how the seasons change
Why the rich earth becomes dry

You can teach me how to pass the rigours of school
Or how to throw a ball
You can explain why the world is round
How gravity makes us fall

But I ask you about love
And your shoulders start to shrug
"It's just what you feel," you say
But something in my heart tugs

I continue to ponder this question
As I grow taller
And each season changes and multiplies
As my heart becomes smaller

I ask so many this question
But no one seems to understand
Until I meet someone mysterious yet bright
Who makes a strange demand

"What do you think?"
All along I had never guessed these words
Perhaps it is sacrificing time
Instead of doing what you prefer

Maybe it's being a listening ear
And simply offering help
Or bringing someone flowers
While still being yourself

Love is to each of us
What we define it to be
But the best explain I have found
Is placing someone else above thee

As my love for you never fades
The shards of ice you pierced in my heart
Will never go away
Though five months have passed
You are on my mind when I drive by your old place
How when we were little we played in that bright, green grass
Now your touch reminds me of broken glass
Our music sounds like nails on a chalkboard
Though I try I can't forget the past
I dream of you every dark night
I wonder why you changed
But people never stay still in life
At least that remains the same
Though your betrayal left a gaping hole in my chest
I never stop waiting for your call
I hope one day my wandering mind will be at rest
Until then I will always feel lost and small

Bonds and promises shatter like glass
But use those jagged fragments to build a window
Through which you see yourself and the past

The process of healing is long
You may struggle to see a clear picture
But loving your mistakes is never wrong

A glimmer or orange sunshine
And a sliver of warm happiness shine through
Understanding only takes much time

Hang up shattered piece by piece
It's a neverending process it seems
But when the sun shines through, you will feel at peace

I am unsteady
Unable to cope with these thoughts
With each new trouble I'm never ready
Unprepared for what life has thrown
Feeling as if I could choke
On these memories I own
I'm not worthy of what is good
But not deserving of the evils
If I could erase the past I would
And still I can't forget what I should

We were birds of a feather
Since we were small had each others' backs
Whenever we were together
Life is different now
But to have you as a confidant
I was always proud
Through thick and thin
Whenever storms arose
You lifted my chin
Always my most faithful friend
But the trust we shared
Has come to an end
You turned your back
When I was at my worst
Now my heart is under attack
Who can I trust and grow close
Since my oldest and greatest friend
Wasn't there when I needed her most

Sunshine gleaming
Against the evergreen trees
Shadows stretch along the river
Leaves fall, moved by the gentle breeze

The river glitters
The light spots flashing
The clear water dashing
Around jagged rocks

The current creates darkened ripples
Expanding upon the ridges
Inky patterns billowing
The swirls glint and twirl

Remain for the beautiful music renditions
The vibrations thumping through your chest
Love the mysterious evenings of adventure
But also the peaceful nights of rest

Stand despite the forces of darkness
Threatening to crush your shining hope
Abide for days of dazzling brightness
For fond memories of those you will cope

For the close ones carry on
To fill their hearts and make them smile
Prevail for whenever they need you
Though it may last a while

Stay for those warm summer days
And the time of year sparkling snow falls
Endure so you can say
To whomever needs someone, I've been through it all

Under your gaze I was lovely
Like the bright sun rising over the gray clouds
You filled the sky with shining stars above me
You promised me there was no doubts

But now your arrogant boasting crushes me
I become so insignificant and small
Like a blade of grass flattened by a falling tree
Now I don't recognize you at all

The insults and jabs are plenty
Though you search for those old stars
But my night sky is black and empty
As is my shrinking heart

The child holds in their hand a stunning flower
Beautiful, exotic and rare
They pull the glowing flower apart in a colorful shower
The soft, velvety petals rip and tear
Fluttering slowly to the ground
The bright pieces stand out against the gloomy floor
No one can hear the flower's silent screeching sound
Of being ripped from the core
The wind blows the fading petals into the dark abyss
The child tosses the stem aside, and skips away in bliss

The cold, dark sky spreads
Threatening to engulf the world below
The trees and forest disappear in gloomy shreds
As the sun's rays fail to show

Shadows stretch into hills and valleys
Oceans and rivers grow freezing and black
Darkness continues to rally
In a pattern impossible to track

Under the blanket of the night sky
The earth is cold and still
Bushes, plants and flowers wilt and die
In the shade the world has willed

Over the mountains you may find
The wind blowing clouds over the sky
Lovely flowers blooming
Under the mountains looming
The wind will sigh
Making the trees wave
The reeds will cry
Their joyful tune
The daffodils will dance
In the bright light of noon
And the willows will shake
With every breath the wind takes

Jumping off a cliff into crashing blue waves
Sledding down a hill of powdery snow
Running across a golden horizon
Spending time with people I love and faces I know
Listening to soft melodies of music
Even doing dull chores
Planting something new
Breathing in the misty, fresh outdoors
Just simply laughing
Climbing up an old pine tree
To live each day of life
Every moment is the reason for me

Waves of blue melancholy and emptiness
Hope these waves end
Please let me rest
Let me feel alright, or at least pretend

Ambitions echo in my ears
These chords appear upbeat
Goals, plans to improve from here
Determination is on repeat

The waves of sorrow crash harder
The crashing floods my senses
They pull me down farther
I succumb to the darkness

There are never cries of joy
Nor moments of peace
This life I will never enjoy
Until these waves cease