Beneath the scorching sun of despair,
Desert sands stretch like a cursed prayer.
Lost in dunes of endless solitude,
A lone soul tormented by internal feud.

Through the fog of war, a monster lurks,
Fear gripping tightly, shadows smirk.
Lost brothers haunt the restless night,
Rage of war fueling the inner fight.

In the abyss of self-destruction's embrace,
Lies loneliness, a chilling empty space.
Death whispers secrets of failure's toll,
A war-torn heart trapped in its own hellhole.

Betrayed by fate and drowning in chaos,
The soul battles demons with unyielding loss.
Evil shadows dance in the fiery light,
A haunting reminder of humanity's blight.

Memories poison the mind with bitter taste,
Madness grips tighter in this desolate waste.
A realm of uncertainty and insecurity bound,
In solitude's grip, screams remain unheard sound.

The darkness within mirrors the outside strife,
In the dystopian canvas where monsters thrive.
Tormented by nightmares and fighting through the haze,
The descent into madness, a relentless maze.

Visions of the past haunt the broken mind,
Echoes of screams and battle cries bind.
The line between reality and illusion blurred,
Swallowed by the darkness, a tragic word.

Shadows dance in the flickering light,
Whispers of demons in the dead of night.
The soul, a prisoner of its own creation,
Falling deeper into the abyss of damnation.

Each step taken leads further astray,
Lost in the labyrinth of mind's decay.
A descent into madness, a frightening sight,
A battle for sanity in the dead of night.

The mind, a battleground of twisted thoughts,
A warzone of memories that cannot be fought.
Haunted by specters of the past,
The descent into madness, a shadow cast.

In the depths of despair, hope fades away,
Madness consuming the light of day.
The soul, a vessel adrift in the sea,
Lost in the turmoil of insanity.

Beneath the scorching sun of despair,
Descent into madness, an endless snare.
A journey through the darkest night,
A soul consumed by eternal fright.

In the realm of darkness, chaos reigns,
Madness grips tighter, driving one insane.
Lost in the labyrinth of twisted dreams,
Descent into madness, or so it seems.

Each step taken leads deeper within,
A descent into madness, a battle to win.
Haunted by ghosts of the past,
The soul struggles to break free at last.

In the realm of shadows, demons wail,
Descent into madness, a chilling tale.
A journey through the depths of night,
A soul consumed by eternal fright.

The descent into madness, a dark abyss,
A journey through the mind's twisted mists.
Lost in the labyrinth of endless despair,
A soul tormented, beyond repair.

In the darkness, whispers of the lost,
Descent into madness, a heavy cost.
The mind, a prisoner of its own design,
Lost in the echoes of time.

In the heart of darkness, a soul cries out,
Descent into madness, filled with doubt.
A battle for sanity, a war within,
Lost in the shadows of eternal sin.

The descent into madness, a twisted fate,
A soul consumed by internal hate.
Haunted by demons of the past,
The soul descends into madness, the die is cast.

In the depths of 30 years gone by,
Buried feelings, stoic, never seeing eye to eye.
Pulled in multiple directions, a weighty load,
Like Atlas, the world upon my shoulders bestowed.

Three relationships failed, a heart left torn,
The pain of one affecting those I have sworn,
To protect and shield myself from my despair,
Alone I must stand, solitude is my only prayer.

Leaving my family behind as an act of protection,
In the darkness of uncertainty, seeking connection.
Hoping to find a lifeline in this barren land,
To light my way or be consumed by darkness grand.

Abandoned by hope, anger festering within,
Anxiety grips me tight under the shadow's din.
Confusion reigns as I navigate this desolate space,
Fear and frustration etched on my weary face.

In this dystopian world rife with disappointment and failure,
I wander lost, swallowed by the void's dark allure.
Hopelessness and pain echo through the silent night,
The stress of solitude chokes out all light.

4-01 Metal
Rocks below, a heart laid bare,
Tides recede, a shattered soul.
Wounds are fresh, a fortress built,
Hands reach out, a comfort sought.
Flames ignite, a journey starts,
Shadows fade, echoes remain.
Intruders creep, mistrust takes hold,
Questions sting, a mournful song.

I thought the pain, a distant shore,
But Shattered Reflections now appear.
Her wounds mirrored, my own deep scars,
Betrayal's echo, a haunting fear.
Feelings stirred, a flame's rebirth,
Unintentional, yet deeply true.
Doppelgängers rise, from depths below,
Lost and drowned, in memory's hue.

Helping hands, a mend sought out,
New beginnings, where shadows flee.
Twisted minds, sow doubt and strife,
Betrayal's sting, a lasting pain.
Real or false, the question burns,
Past pains linger, a haunting tune.
Wounds remain, like anything,
Echoes rise, beneath the moon.

Who is real, in this mirrored scene,
Shattered Reflections blur the sight.
The past returns, a haunting trace,
A mournful echo, in fading light.
The heart's long hall, where memories dwell,
A song of pain, that time won't quell.
Yet through the shards, a truth remains,
A strength reborn, from past refrains.

In Shanghai's haze, neon lights gleam,
A ghostly beauty, a supreme dream.
My bride, a vision, a porcelain grace,
With raven hair and eyes of amber's embrace.

She blooms like a plum, in winter's cold hand,
A fragile strength, across the vast land.
Jade branches sway, in neon's bright gleam,
A subtle scent, a fleeting, sweet dream.

Shanghai's pulse beats, a vibrant refrain,
While she, my blossom, conquers the rain.
In this coming year, our love will unfold,
A story whispered, brave and bold.

Like plum in spring, defying the chill,
Our love will flourish, against all ill.
Resilient hearts, a future so bright,
We'll walk hand-in-hand, bathed in love's light.

My Shanghai Blossom, a treasure so rare,
A love eternal, beyond all compare.
In this city of dreams, our love will reside,
Forever entwined, side by side.

I tried to show you,
But I think you don’t know
Through my red eyes
You don’t know, I couldn’t tell you

Then like a fragrance on the wind,
Flowers in bloom,
My heart pounds like it’s in a cage
And when I see you, I feel like I may cry

Time passes, sands that standstill
My heart in my throat
I realize what is happening
Something I tried so hard not to let happen

You have become something precious to me
Why?
I dream, and it’s of you
Why?

Tell me, why do I feel the way I do?
How did this happen, I tried, thought I was careful
Not only for my sake, but yours as well
As I don’t want to be hurt any more than I want to hurt someone

But I fell for you, I did
Why?  I could give a thousand reasons, any one would suffice
Then the unexpected, you fell for me
Why?  I didn’t plan this, I didn’t see this

Why do I love you?  Does it need to be defined?
The only thing that is of note, is that I do; with everything I have.
Why do you love me?  Again, it doesn’t require an answer.
It is what it is; you love me, I love you.

We will be together for years,
Loving each other endlessly, unconditionally, forever
Does the question need to be answered – no.
The only answers are to the only questions that mean anything.

Do you love me?  Always and Forever.
Will you marry me?  Yes, what took you so long?
And do you take me, faults and all, to cherish and love forever as husband and wife?
Which will always be a resounding, “YES”

In the beginning, there was betrayal.
A sharp knife plunged into my back,
By someone I trusted with my whole heart,
Leaving me wounded and bleeding,
Lost in the darkness of deception.

I stumbled through the wreckage,
Of shattered dreams and broken promises,
Each step heavier than the last,
As I tried to make sense of the chaos,
That had become my existence.

Heartbreak washed over me,
Like a tidal wave of sorrow,
Drowning me, morose and in pain,
As I struggled to find solid ground,
In a sea of anguish and despair.

I wept for what was lost,
For the love that had turned to ash,
For the future that had crumbled to dust,
Leaving me adrift in a void,
Of emptiness and regret.

Loneliness became my constant companion,
A shadow that clung to my every step,
Haunting me with memories of what once was,
And what could never be again,
A silent reminder of all that I had lost.

I built walls around my heart,
Towering barriers of stone and steel,
To protect myself from further pain,
From the treachery of those who sought to harm me,
From the cruelty of a world that seemed intent on breaking me.

Distrust became my shield,
A sword that I wielded with practiced skill,
As I kept the world at arm's length,
Refusing to let anyone close enough,
To hurt me as I had been hurt before.

But in the darkness, a light flickered,
A beacon of hope in the endless night,
As a new friendship bloomed,
Like a fragile flower pushing through the cracks,
In the walls I had so carefully constructed.

A spark of something new ignited within me,
A glimmer of warmth in the cold expanse,
As laughter and kindness filled the void,
And I felt myself beginning to thaw,
From the frozen depths of my solitude.

Slowly, tentatively, I reached out,
Taking a chance on something unknown,
Feeling the stirrings of something more,
As the walls around my heart began to crumble,
And I allowed myself to hope once more.

As friendship blossomed into something deeper,
Sparks of romance ignited between us,
A flame that grew steadily brighter,
As we danced on the edge of something new,
Something fierce and undeniable.

Passion flared like a wildfire,
Consuming us in its fiery embrace,
As we surrendered to the depths of our desire,
Losing ourselves in the heat of our connection,
In the sweet frenzy of our love.

And in the midst of it all, I found solace,
In the arms of the one who saw me,
Who understood my pain and my fear,
Who held me close and whispered,
That I was not alone.

Together we forged a new path,
One guided by trust and understanding,
By kindness and compassion,
By the knowledge that we were stronger together,
Than we could ever be apart.

And in each other, we found our home,
A place of peace and belonging,
Where our love could flourish and grow,
Into something timeless and true,
And everlasting bond that would never fade.

So, I walk this new path with you,
Hand in hand, heart in heart,
Knowing that through betrayal and heartbreak,
Through loss and loneliness,
I have found my way to you,
And to the endless promise,
Of a love that will never die.

Just meant as an educational post.
In Asian cultures,  family names are first, then given names.
In western culture, this is the opposite.
English names can follow the pronunciation of the Chinese name.
A woman with the name Ping, may adopt Apple ad her name as ping guo is Apple in Chinese.

When written in calligraphy,  Kanji, or Korean,  it is always written this way.  When using pinyin (romanized) characters it can be written with a space or more formalized with an apostrophe between the surname and given.  So for those who truly would like to know.   You can call me Cal.

In the labyrinth of confusion,
I stand at the edge of oblivion,
Peering into the abyss of grief,
Lost in a maze of despair and disbelief.

Love's deception led me astray,
Into a sea of tears, I slowly fade away.
Desolate and abandoned, my heart cries out,
For the light that once shone bright, is now in doubt.

The weight of my sorrow is too much to bear,
As I journey through this realm of despair.
I find myself alone, lost to all time,
In a darkness where even the stars won't shine.

The echoes of my pain reverberate,
Through the winding corridors of my fate.
I search for a way out, a path to redemption,
But all I find is endless deception.

Judgment awaits me at the precipice of despair,
As I confront the demons that linger there.
The truth of my heart is laid bare,
In the labyrinth of confusion, I am ensnared.

The love inside me has long since died,
Leaving my soul withered and dried.
I reach out for a lifeline, a thread of hope,
But all I grasp is the fraying rope.

Desperation grips me, as I sink deeper,
Into the mire of sorrow, where nothing is sweeter.
I long to break free, to find my way,
But the darkness surrounds me, leading me astray.

I am consumed by the abyss of grief,
Trapped in a cycle of endless disbelief.
The ferryman beckons, his hand outstretched,
To lead me away, to a place beyond death.

I take his hand, my fate sealed,
In the labyrinth of confusion, my wounds never healed.
I drift into the darkness, where light cannot reach,
A soul adrift, lost in the depths of the breach.

The sea of tears swallows me whole,
As I surrender to the depths of my soul.
I am lost to all time, a mere whisper in the wind,
In the labyrinth of confusion, my journey begins.

1-**  Wood
The tender shoots emerge, unfurling slowly,
A vibrant tapestry against the soft earth.
Raindrops cling like tiny, glistening jewels,
Reflecting the nascent light of early spring.
Within these Whispers of the Green, my heart resides,
A quiet yearning mirroring nature's gentle push.
Each unfurling leaf, a breath of hopeful air,
Carries the unspoken longing I feel for you.
The world awakens, and my thoughts drift your way.

The breeze stirs softly through the budding trees,
A rustling murmur like secrets being shared.
Birdsong weaves a delicate, airy melody,
Filling the spaces with vibrant, fleeting sound.
And in these Whispers of the Green, I hear your absence,
A subtle silence where your voice should be.
The vibrant life around me feels incomplete,
Until your presence graces this verdant scene.

The garden path, still damp from the night's rain,
Winds through the burgeoning life in quiet grace.
Each new bloom a fragile, hopeful offering,
A testament to nature's patient, steady hand.
Yet in these Whispers of the Green, a deeper echo sounds,
A longing for your footsteps beside my own.
The beauty of the spring only sharpens the void,
A quiet solitude amidst the vibrant growth.

The sky above, a canvas of pale, hopeful blue,
Stretches endlessly, a boundless, open space.
Clouds drift lazily, like thoughts unburdened,
Across the vastness of the awakening day.
These gentle Whispers of the Green carry my desire,
A silent message on the soft and fragrant air.
The spring unfolds, a promise of sweet return,
And in its verdant heart, my longing waits.

When a man says "I am fine,"
it's a loaded phrase, a carefully constructed wall.
It's not a declaration of well-being,
but a shield raised against the world,
a silent plea for understanding,
masked as stoic acceptance.

"I am fine" means
the turbulent sea within is best left undisturbed.
The storm rages, the waves crash,
but the surface remains deceptively calm.
To speak of the tempest would be to invite chaos,
to unleash a torrent of emotions best contained.

It's the weight of unspoken words,
the burden of unshared sorrows,
pressing down, a constant, dull ache.
To open the floodgates would be to risk vulnerability,
to expose the fragile heart beneath the armor.

"I am fine" is a fortress built of solitude,
each brick a carefully chosen silence.
It's a refuge, a place to retreat and lick wounds,
away from prying eyes and well-meaning concern.
The world expects strength, resilience,
and "I am fine" is the uniform of the stoic warrior.

It's the fear of being a burden,
the worry that sharing pain will only amplify it.
Better to shoulder the weight alone,
than to inflict it upon those who care.
"I am fine" is a sacrifice, a self-imposed isolation,
born of a desire to protect.

It's the exhaustion of explaining,
the weariness of dissecting every feeling,
every nuance of pain.
Sometimes, silence is the only solace,
the only way to navigate the labyrinth of the mind.

"I am fine" is not a lie,
but a carefully curated truth.
It's the truth of the present moment,
the decision to postpone the unraveling,
to postpone the vulnerability.

It's the hope that the storm will pass,
that the sun will eventually break through the clouds.
"I am fine" is a temporary truce,
a promise to oneself to face the darkness,
eventually.

"I am fine" is a code,
a language spoken in hushed tones.
It's a signal, a request, a boundary.
It's a man saying,
"I am fine,"
for now.

Eia ka pua o ka ʻōlelo,
Ka pua o ka manaʻo,
Ka pua o ka naʻau,
Ka pua o ka aloha.

He kanaka o ka hau,
He kanaka o ka manua,
He kanaka o ka mālamalama,
He kanaka o ka hoʻomanaʻo.

He wahine o ka wela,
He wahine o ka mālie,
He wahine o ka nani,
He wahine o ka aloha.

Ua hui ʻia lākou,
Ma ke alo o ka ʻāina,
Ma ke alo o ka moana,
Ma ke alo o ka lewa.

Ua ʻike lākou i ke aloha,
Ua ʻike lākou i ka mahalo,
Ua ʻike lākou i ka manaʻo maikaʻi,
Ua ʻike lākou i ka hoʻomanaʻo.

1-**
Fourteen moons have passed, a testament,
To a love that bends, yet never breaks its hold.
Like tides, we've known closeness, distance, rent,
Yet hearts, like shores, return, and stories unfold.

My heart, a compass, spins only to you,
Through valleys deep and peaks that reach the sky,
Everyday Love, our bond forever true,
Stronger for the journey, you and I.

Valleys traversed, peaks climbed, we stand,
A testament to a love that knows no end.
A melody touched my soul, hand in hand,
A devotion that time cannot transcend.

I cannot give three days, my only one,
For in its chambers, only you reside,
Everyday Love, beneath the setting sun,
I give you every day, my heart's true tide.

A phone call,
the weight of unspoken words.
Fourteen years gone,
a father's absence echoing
in the lines of her face.

The journey home,
a heart already knowing.
Stoicism, a shield,
not for grief, but for duty.

Her breath, a shallow whisper.
Sleep, a fragile truce.
A hand in hers,
a flicker of recognition,
a smile through the pain.

A kiss, soft as a feather.
Words, simple and true.
"It's okay, Mom."
"Dad's waiting."
"We love you."

Eyes closing,
a release,
a reunion.
Love given,
love returned,
a memory etched in time.

Awakened from my dreams, Thoughts of you
A mischievous smile from ear to ear,
A glint of a tear in the corner of my eye,
A deafening thunderous roar from my chest.

The dream, too ****** to retell,
The smile, because I love you,
The tear, again, because I love you,
The pounding in my eardrum, because I love you.

Intense this feeling is,
Consuming me,
A myriad of emotions,
Too many to separate.

These are the Days of February,
A month of emotional turmoil,
Feelings that can overwhelm,
Feelings that can define oneself.

And it has only just begun,
This rollercoaster of love,
Twists and turns,
Ups and downs.

Though cliché,
The words spoken have never been truer,
You are the last thing before I sleep,
You are the thing that guides my dreams,
And you are the first thing I reach for, to see, when I wake.

You are my heart upon the scales,
Lighter than a feather,
Devoted and true,
The Prince of your heart.

The sea is a cold and restless entity,
A deep, unending trough of brine and foam.
Its surface reflects the shifting skies,
A field of endless, heaving water.

The waves rise, great mountains of the deep,
Then crash and fall upon the shore.
Their strength a constant, unrelenting force,
That land cannot overcome or ignore.

The open sea holds mystery unseen,
A shadowed place where waves collide and break.
The flux and flow, a ceaseless, silent scene,
A constant dance that nature subtly makes.

The tide comes and goes at measured pace,
An ancient rhythm of ebb and swell.
Its pull a gravitational, powerful grace,
That rules the coasts and where wild things dwell.

The current runs, a river in the sea,
A hidden path where life finds its own way.
A constant shift, a moving tapestry,
Of hidden things it carries night and day.

Beneath the waves, a kingdom dark and strange,
Where creatures swim in depths beyond our ken.
An unknown world, a wonder to exchange
For all the treasures and the toils of men.

The salt spray stings, a bitter, bracing kiss,
Upon the face of those who brave the sea.
A humbling power, wild and full of bliss,
Both beautiful and terrible to decree.

The ocean vast and ever free,
Remains a mystery, both loved and feared.
Its power timeless, for eternity,
A constant presence, ever held revered.

You are the lighthouse in the tempest's roar,
A steadfast beacon when hope seems to pour
From empty vessels. Your light, a warm embrace,
Dispels the shadows, leaves no vacant space.

In depths of doubt, when skies are overcast,
Your love, a refuge, where solace is cast.
With you as anchor, I weather any sea,
Your strength, a current that pulls me to thee.

Your touch, a whisper, soft as summer rain,
Erases worries, stills the aching pain.
In your eyes, galaxies of comfort reside,
A universe of love, where I can abide.

Through shifting sands and life's relentless tide,
Our love, a fortress, where souls abide.
Unwavering, steadfast, a promise kept,
In your heart's embrace, my spirit is swept.

It’s a beautiful day
Sun crests over the horizon
Spreading warmth to the day
Dew upon the flowers
Awakened by the sun
Stretching their petals in the morning bloom
From flower to flower
Butterflies and bees
Collecting nature’s bounty
Birds in the sky
Soaring with grace
Wind under wing
Wild painted horses
Running, playing
Grazing in the plains
Laughter of children
At one with nature
One with the clan
Sun sets over the horizon
It was a beautiful day

Within the tempest of a troubled mind,
Your light illuminates the darkest hour.
A soothing balm to calm the raging sea,
You are the steadfast anchor of my soul.

Your faith in me, a mountain strong and sure,
Upholds my spirit when it starts to fail.
In worlds conforming, seeking to endure,
Your authenticity rings pure and clear.

You see beyond the masks that others wear,
Accepting flaws and all that I possess.
A tender heart that always shows it cares,
Your love, a refuge in life’s wilderness.

Your eyes reflect the depths of my despair,
Yet hold a promise of a brighter day.
With you beside me, I can always bear
The heaviest burdens life may send my way.

A calm amidst the chaos of my thoughts,
You are the oasis in a barren land.
Our shared moments, like a treasure sought,
A bond unbreakable, heart to heart and hand.

You’ve seen my triumphs and my bitter falls,
Remaining constant through it all.
Your patience guides me when confusion calls,
Dispelling shadows, answering life’s thrall.

With you as compass, I can find my way
Through labyrinthine mazes of the mind.
Your love, a steadfast beacon, night and day,
Strengthens my spirit, leaves me undefined.

The first notes, a hesitant tremolo,
a digital dance, a whispered prelude.
Sensuality, a primal current, surged through the ether,
a perversity born of longing,
a digital playground where passion ignited.

Beyond the flesh, a deeper melody,
emotions entwined, a rich harmony.
Doubts, like minor keys, fears, like dissonant chords,
laid bare in the cadences of candid confessions.

I, your haven, a refuge from life's tempest,
a steadfast anchor in the stormy seas.
My declaration, "You are the woman of my life,"
a soaring crescendo, echoing eternally.

No music can capture the essence,
this symphony born of our shared breath.
Your presence, a timeless rhapsody,
a masterpiece forever unfinished,
played by the stars, a celestial orchestra.

Together, we journey,
a rhythmic duet, through time and space,
composing a love song of infinite variations.
One note, a tender caress, one touch,
a passionate fortissimo, one whispered word,
a pianissimo, a symphony of souls, forever entwined.

There is no end, my love, only brief rests,
a pause between the movements,
a breath before the next crescendo.
For in the harmony of our hearts,
the music plays on, eternally.

Can you feel the echo of my heart across the miles?
A whisper on the wind, a constant, silent plea.
You are my heaven, a constellation in the dark,
And I, a lonely traveler, forever drawn to thee.
I trace the phantom curves of your face in my dreams,
Aching for the moment our worlds finally align.

Can I hold you tonight, just in the realm of thought?
I conjure the warmth of your skin, the scent of your hair.
Your kiss, a phantom fire, still burns upon my lips,
A memory cherished, a treasure beyond compare.
But doubt, a creeping shadow, whispers in my ear,
"Is this love's sweet promise, or a mirage we chase?"

Sometimes, The Weight of Absence becomes too much to bear,
And I long to vanish, to fade into the gray.
To crawl beneath the covers, shielded from the world,
Where vulnerability's sharp edges can't cut and flay.
Yet, a fragile hope remains, a flickering ember's glow,
That you see the real me, the one I'm afraid to show.

I have loved you fiercely, from the very first spark,
A connection so profound, it transcends space and time.
You whisper your love, a melody sweet and low,
But the distance, a vast ocean, makes your voice seem faint, a chime.
And I'm left adrift, on waves of doubt and fear,
Wondering if my love's reflection is truly clear.

You say I am your one, the moon to your tide,
And I echo the sentiment, with every fiber of my being.
Yet, miles stretch between us, an unyielding divide,
Stealing precious moments, leaving me only yearning and seeing
Your face in photographs, a bittersweet delight,
Fueling the flame of hope, amidst the lonely night.

Oh, to stand upon your shore, to bridge this aching gap,
To feel the solid ground beneath my trembling feet.
To finally silence the whispers of what ifs,
And know, beyond all doubt, our love is truly complete.
Until then, I'll cling to dreams, and whisper your name,
Praying the dawn will break, and banish all the pain.

Do I have a type?
Yes, a phantom limb,
a ghost of desires
haunting my gaze.

A tapestry woven
in the crucible of youth,
where innocence
met the harsh realities
of womanhood.

90%, they said,
a statistic echoing
in the chambers of my heart,
the weight of expectation,
the fear of the unknown.

My Type,
a rebellion against the norm,
a defiance of the gaze
that objectified and
reduced.

It wasn't just the physical,
though the allure
of raven hair,
sun-kissed skin,
eyes like molten gold,
was undeniable.

It was the strength
forged in the fires
of ancient cultures,
the resilience
honed by generations
of survival.

The delicate blossoms
of the Orient,
unfurling in the face
of adversity,
a testament to
inner strength and grace.

Hawaii, New Zealand,
Tahiti, Indonesia,
islands of dreams,
where women
were warriors and healers,
legends whispered
on the wind.

My Type,
a reflection of
the world I yearned for,
a world where beauty
was more than skin deep,
where strength
was celebrated,
and women
were free to bloom.

In the chaos of my mind, you are my light,
Guiding me through the darkest of nights,
Your presence is like a soothing balm,
Calming the storm within my heart.

I find solace in your unyielding support,
Your unwavering belief in me gives me strength,
In a world that demands conformity,
You are the beacon of authenticity.

While others may try to mold me,
Into their idea of what I should be,
You see me for who I truly am,
Embracing my flaws and all.

I am grateful for your understanding,
For the way you hold me close,
In the midst of my turmoil,
You are my anchor, my rock.

I look into your eyes and see,
The reflection of my soul,
You know the depths of my being,
And love me in spite of it all.

In the chaos of my mind, you are my calm,
The peace that settles my restless thoughts,
In a world that often feels unkind,
You are the oasis in the desert.

I cherish the moments we share,
The laughter, the tears, the silence,
Each one a reminder of the bond we share,
A connection that transcends words.

You have seen me at my best,
And at my worst, yet still you stay,
Your love is unwavering,
A constant presence in my life.

I am grateful for your patience,
For the way you listen without judgment,
In the midst of my confusion,
You offer clarity and insight.

In the chaos of my mind, you are my clarity,
The voice of reason in a sea of doubt,
Your wisdom guides me through,
The labyrinth of my thoughts.

I hold onto you fiercely,
Knowing that with you by my side,
I can weather any storm,
And emerge stronger on the other side.

You are my safe haven,
My sanctuary in a world of chaos,
And for that, I am eternally grateful,
For the love and understanding you provide.

In the chaos of my mind, you are my anchor,
Keeping me grounded in times of uncertainty,
Your presence is a beacon of hope,
A reminder that I am never alone.

Thank you for being my rock,
For loving me in all my imperfections,
For understanding the depths of my soul,
In the chaos of my mind, you are my constant.

In the darkest night, you are my guiding light,
A beacon in the storm, shining bright.
Through turbulent seas and winds that howl,
You are the one who calms my soul.

Your presence is a source of strength,
A refuge from life’s trials and lengths.
In times of doubt and fear, you stand by,
A steady presence, never questioning why.

We weather the storms together,
Facing whatever challenges may sever.
With you as my anchor, I am safe,
No matter how the waves may chafe.

In your eyes, I find solace and peace,
A sanctuary where all worries cease.
Your touch is a gentle caress,
A reminder of all that we possess.

The world may shift and change,
But our love remains the same.
A bond that is unbreakable and true,
A beacon in the storm, always shining through.

In moments of darkness and despair,
You are the one who is always there.
With your hand in mine, I find strength,
A beacon in the storm, guiding me to a better length.

So thank you for being my beacon,
A light that shines bright, never weaken.
In the storms of life, I know I can always find,
A source of love and peace, in you, I can unwind.

I saw you from a distance
A beauty with an eye for art
A talent that drew me to you
An interest to know, not hold
I knew this was a distance I needed to close

Captivated by your presence
Learning of your past
The pain and anxiety
Of broken hearts and trust
Kindred spirits with tales of betrayal

We shared this pain
Both broken and abandoned
Was it destiny or fate?
Console each other we did
And with this, a new chapter begins

The walls started to crumble
For me and her
As the friendship grew, I fumbled with feelings
Respect and kindness, mutually given
Stirring a dormant passion, long thought extinct

She didn’t know, I tried to hide it
The volcano of emotions coming to life
Once again, my heart started to pound
Stuck in my throat, silence from my mouth.
Confusion took root, creating self-doubt

I took a step back, a break to discover
Stomach in knots, and introspective look
Love for a friend had been sparked
A fire in my heart had been stoked.
20 years of cold, and now a new warmth

She seems to like me
Though I question why
She seems to love me, I love her more
As she opens my heart, as she opens mine
My words seem to flow as our love grows

I am not handsome, I am not rich
I am honest, I am kind
I have wisdom from my world of pain
But she seems to love me, and I know not why
As questions go unanswered, She says she is mine.

How did I get so lucky, I ponder
This beauty who loves a beast
Self-doubt and worth are heavy in my thoughts
And I pose the question to her
What did I do to deserve her?

Generations apart
Was I born too early
Was she born too late
Love is love, and age but a number
What did I do to deserve her?

Her answer quells my curiosity
Astonishment of a young beauty
Wise beyond her years
My words, my kindness sparked her flame
But it was my respect and actions that fueled the fire

She claims me, forever she says
I claim her, ‘til the end of time
We acknowledge our faults
Aspirations and dreams
Nothing is perfect, but we will sustain

A loving couple lost in each other
Longing and yearning for the one that completes us
Heals our heart, mends our soul
She is my greatest love
And I am hers.

Dedicated to the woman I love
I still don’t deserve you but am happy you chose me

In the vast expanse of the universe, I searched
For the one who would be my soulmate,
My partner in life and love, my guiding light,
And in you, I found all that I had sought.

Time and space could not keep us apart,
For destiny led me to your loving heart.
You are my compass, always pointing true,
Guiding me through stormy seas, bright and blue.

Your presence in my life is a gift,
An inspiration to create, to live, to uplift.
Your words, a melody that sings to my soul,
Your paintings, a canvas of colors that make me whole.

I am the poet, you the painter,
Together we create art that's greater
Than anything we could ever do alone,
A masterpiece of love, forever shone.

You are my muse, my greatest love,
The one I've been dreaming of.
You complete me in ways I never knew,
And I am grateful for the bond we share, so true.

Across the stars, our love will shine,
A beacon of light in the darkest of times.
For you are my soulmate, my heart's desire,
And in your arms, I know I'll never tire.

So here's to us, to our love so pure,
To the bond that will forever endure.
You are my everything, my reason to live,
My soulmate, my partner, my true love, I give.

The air hangs heavy,
a suffocating blanket
of unspoken words.
Your silence, a deafening roar,
echoes through the empty spaces
where your voice used to reside.

I search for meaning in the shadows,
tracing the lines of your absence,
deciphering the unspoken language
of your withdrawal.
Each beat of my heart
a desperate plea for connection.

The world feels muted,
colors drained,
joy a distant memory.
Your laughter, once a melody,
now a haunting refrain
playing on repeat in the emptiness.

I long for the warmth of your gaze,
the touch of your hand,
the rhythm of your breath
against my skin.
But all I receive
is the chilling silence
of your indifference.

This agonizing wait,
this constant ache,
is slowly eroding my resolve.
I'm drowning in a sea of doubt,
desperate for a lifeline,
a single word,
a sign that you still care.

And in the quiet desperation,
I whisper your name
into the void,
hoping against hope
that somehow,
somehow,
you can hear the echo
of my despair.

In the depths of our hearts, a flame of passion burns,
Intimate and forevermore, our love yearns.
With every beat, it grows deeper and stronger,
A bond that will last a lifetime, no longer.

Together we'll face the trials of time,
Our love is a beacon, forever a sublime.
Through laughter and joy, we'll embrace the new dawn,
A future filled with promise, a love so strong.

In your eyes, I see a reflection of our love,
A deep, passionate connection from above.
With you, I feel complete, whole, and free,
Forevermore intertwined, just you and me.

So let's laugh, let's dance, let's sing,
In our love, new beginnings begin to spring.
For in your arms, I've found my home,
A love so deep, it's like never before known.

My future father-in-law is taking his final journey,
A journey we all must take someday,
But it brings me great sorrow
That I never got the chance to know him.

Through tales and stories,
I have pieced together a picture of who he was,
A man of honor, integrity, and love,
A man who raised the woman I adore.

I can see his influence in every smile,
Every kind gesture, every gentle touch,
And I am grateful for the part of him
That lives on in my beloved.

I wish I could have sat with him,
Shared a drink, a laugh, a moment of connection,
But fate had other plans,
And now I must find a way to honor him in his absence.

I love his daughter with all my heart,
She is my rock, my light, my everything,
And I promise to care for her always,
To be the partner she deserves.

I asked for his blessing,
And he gave it with a smile,
A silent approval that means more to me
Than any words ever could.

I know he would have been proud to see us marry,
To see his daughter in her red dress,
Walking down the aisle towards her future,
A future that he had a hand in shaping.

I will miss his presence at our wedding,
His absence a palpable void,
But I know he will be there in spirit,
Watching over us with love and pride.

I wish I could have known him better,
Shared more moments, more conversations,
But I am grateful for the time we did have,
And for the lessons he imparted through his life.

Now, as the oldest, his son-in-law,
It falls to me to shoulder this burden,
To be a source of strength and support
For my grieving bride-to-be.

I will do everything in my power
To ease her pain, to lift her up,
To honor her father's memory
In every moment we share together.

My future father-in-law is taking his final journey,
But his spirit will always be with us,
Guiding us, watching over us,
And reminding us of the love that binds us all.

WITHOUT YOU,
I find it hard to breathe
I find it hard to dream
I find my heart aches
I find myself awake

WITHOUT YOU,
My life has no purpose
My life seems colorless
My life is void of emotion
My life is full of commotion

WITHOUT YOU,
I wonder of what could be
I wonder of who I would be
I wonder how I should act
I see in the mirror my stoic façade crack

But I realize, though not near
I am with you, in my mind, in my heart
You are not far, but not near
Distant city, but close enough
I need to go, to the one I love

WITH YOU,
My life has meaning
My worries fleeting
My heart sings so loud
My spirit is amongst the clouds

WITH YOU,
I do not wish to leave
I can finally breathe
My heart aches no more
I feel my wings as my soul soars

WITH YOU,
My love is so true
No longer am I blue
Undying devotion
There is no more commotion

The sea, so vast and deep
Full of life, abundance to keep
A barrier reef, a hidden gem
Beneath the waves, a colorful hem

The hues of blue, green, and gold
A masterpiece, a sight to behold
The artist's palette, so vibrant and bright
Love upon the canvas, a beautiful sight

Creatures of the deep, swimming free
Dancing in the waves, pure ecstasy
The coral reefs, a sanctuary below
Where life flourishes, a vibrant show

The sea, a place of mystery and wonder
A world of magic, a spell to be under
The waves crash upon the shore
A symphony of love, forevermore

Inspiring artists, poets, and writers alike
To capture the essence, the beauty so ripe
Love permeates the salty air
A feeling of peace, beyond compare

So let us cherish this gift from above
The sea, a symbol of endless love
May we protect and preserve its grace
For future generations to embrace.

My forever started the moment I met you,
A simple breath, a world rearranged.
We laughed, two spirits entangled,
Learning the quiet rhythms of existence,
Each day, a soft discovery,
A gentle unfolding.

That first virtual kiss, like rain on our faces,
A digital spark igniting a real flame,
A cinematic moment etched deep within.
I know your history, every shade and contour,
Yet I hunger for the retelling,
Each detail is a new sunrise.

Your brushstrokes, a continuous melody of colors upon the canvas,
They hold me captivated, a private symphony of hues.
You have truly been seen, wholly embraced,
Just as you are, a vulnerable offering.
Look into these eyes, love's silent plea,
I tell you 'I love you', A Whispered Promise.

I dream of your presence at the final curtain,
Your face, a beacon as shadows lengthen.
To fall with grace, your hand in mine,
At that last breath, a shared stillness.
Is that alright? This profound yearning,
This desire for eternity with you.

May your presence linger when I falter,
When the path becomes unclear, and I stray from myself.
I pray for your strength, your gentle guidance,
To lift me up when the weight becomes too much.
A warm celebration, our tapestry of years,
Woven with tenderness and unwavering faith.

I envision our future, a living fairy tale,
Family dinners, roots deepening into shared earth.
Teaching little voices the simple courtesies,
"Thank you," "please," the foundations of kindness.
Knowing, with you by my side,
Everything will always be more than alright.