I'm almost there.
Almost to the top.
Nearly at the end.
Kind of finished.
Sort of done.
Barely through with everything.
Somewhat over.
Close to the finale.
Not quite completed.
All but there.
Practically
Just about
Virtually
More or less
I'm almost there.

Rivers
        are
           only
         as
deep
      as
        your
             imagination
                                makes
                            them.

Somewhere in my head
I am eternally lost
I can't make a sound

The endless hurting
There is screaming in my ears
Trying to get out

You walk before me
Each day is filled with longing
You're just out of reach

Never can it be
But I still struggle to see
How hopeless it is

I truly love you
Even more than you can know
But it is hopeless

Life is starting to feel like an endless game of scrabble...
However, in this game,
someone has removed all the vowels from the bag
and there are no blank squares.

Words are the key to the door between
Reality and fantasy. Through writing, you can really see
Inside a person. You can learn their secrets, things they'd never
Tell anyone. Writing allows you to let others see
Inside you, for when
No one's looking you in the eye, it is easy to
G**ive them your heart.

..............When      your
     head                      won't
stop                              turning
      it's             ­           hard
              to        sleep..............

My enemies hate me for all I stand for, and all I'll someday be.
My acquaintances know my name and recognize it.
My casual friends may not know who I am, but still make life lighter.
My friends are the ones who comfort me when I fail but draw away when I succeed.
My best friends laugh with me about my failures, celebrate my successes, and tell me straight when I'm being a pain in the neck.
My family supports everything I do and are always there, even if I don't want them to be.
And all those in between make life interesting, whether good or bad.

None of that matters unless I say so.

My enemies make me stronger.
My acquaintances give me pride.
My casual friends make me smile.
My friends keep me social.
My best friends warm my heart (and strengthen my patience).
My family is my lifeblood and backbone.
And all those in between, make me who I am.

Thanks to everyone in my life, no matter what you think of me.

Just a list of things I love:

Laughter
Friendship
Inside Jokes
Chocolate
Camaraderie
Hugs
Old Stories
Words
Reading
Writing
Kindness
Loyalty
Food
Water
Rivers (the ones with rocks sticking out of them)
Animals
Learning
Science
The Ocean
Mountains
Winter
Ice
Wind
Sunlight
Teamwork
Music
Creativit­y
Positivity
Secrets
Honesty
Darkness
Light
Knowledge
Ignorance
S­arcasm
Frankness
Performing
Sharing
Cheering
Breathing

I don't care if you're hurting
I don't care if you're upset
If you hurt me
I will never care

Even if I cared once
I won't any more
If you hurt me
I will never care

I love so many people
But that can change
If you hurt me
I will never care

I will do anything for you
If you are loyal and kind
But if you hurt me
I will never care

I judge by actions
I act through judgement
If you hurt me
I will never care

I will always care
Even if you don't
But if you hurt me
I will never care

My fingers twitch
My eyes are wide
As though I can see
the other side

The side of pain
The place where dark
surrounds your soul
muffles the spark

The spark of life
of hope and light
that shines through day
and blinks through night

Nurture the spark
Keep it alive
Let the inferno
Fuel up your drive

Let hope inspire you
Never to cease
When all else is lost
Hope will release

Fight through the pain
for when it is gone,
life will still be there
for you to lean on.

Taking a chance will

                                       Either open a door or

Slam one in your face.

What does figure skating feel like?
Many different things.

You could be flying.
Or swimming.
Spinning.
Twisting.
Or nearly dying.

It's scary.
Incredible.
Painful.
Silly.
Unbelievable.

People watch you and gawk.
The pressure is high.
But so is the reward.

It requires tolerance of pain.
Determination.
Mental strength.
A lack of sanity.
And a bizarre sense of humor.

You've got to be serious.
But know when to laugh.

You've got to be strong.
And powerful.

But light.
And soft.

You've got to jump high.
But spin low

You've got to be fearless.
But know how to be nervous.

Fall.
And still get up.

Get hurt.
But never cry.

Be nice.
But get *****.

Smile and laugh.
But be mature.

Be positive.
And accept criticism.

Take abuse.
But never give it.

All these things are true.

But the one thing people tend to forget about skating:

Amongst the physical pain and mental pressure.
Behind the bruises and broken ankles.
Under the glares and competition.

People always forget to have fun. Skating is supposed to be fun. But despite the unbelievably hard work it requires to have success, without fun, nothing matters.

People try every day.

But all of them will fail.

Negativity
Brings you down
Pulls you to the darkest depths
Sends you to the coldest trench
Tumbling slowly across a plane
Cold. Alone. Dark
Wind is whipping through your hair
Fire burning through the air
Light is shining everywhere
Warm. Strong. Bright.
Soaring through a foggy cloud
Sends you swirling through the sky
Catapults you to new heights
Makes you soar
Positivity

Hello.
Hello yourself.
What do you want?
What about you?
What is up?
What’s with you?
I am trying to get rid of you.
Hello.
Hello yourself.
Why do you keep saying that?
Why do you?
You are a pain.
So are you.
Why can I not run from you?
You can not get away because,
you are me and I am you.

Sometimes my body and brain
Refuse to work.
In order to stop from losing myself
Or being a ****
Or causing other people pain
I just let myself go insane

You

                       look
                                                    right

                                                               ­         through
                         me...

Like
                                                              I'm

                                      Barely

                    Even

                                     ­                          There....

Dark coil constricts
around my gasping body
all the air is gone

It was my best friend's birthday
So I went to the store

I got a balloon
And a serving spoon
And some fruit cubes
And frosting tubes

I bought a cake with her name on it
I bought a cake tray with a crack in it
'Cause I dropped it on the floor...
When I was walking out the door

I tripped on a plastic plate
Dropped by some girl named Kate
She left it rolling around the place
And made me fall right on my face

My right hand fell into the cake
The fall made all the cookies break
My shoe went and popped the balloon
My elbow made a dent in the spoon

All the fruit cubes on the floor
The frosting tubes were full no more
There was frosting on her card...
Heck, nothing but frosting for at least a yard!

I think the manager got a little stressed
Before too long, he was only half dressed
Mopping frosting off the floor
Rushing, running through the store

Cantaloupe and melon soup
Rainbow chocolate frosting goop
Big ole hand print in the cake
My fancy party was at stake

I went to go and buy some more
But the manager kicked me out the store
I took my spoon and crushed balloon
My cookies and my mangled cake

I grabbed the fruit cubes off the floor
And ran them to my friend's front door
When she came and answered me
I held them out for her to see

And though I thought she'd cry and pout
She laughed till all her tears ran out
We ate the cake and fruit together
She said it was the "Best Birthday Ever!"

Once Upon a Time
as most stories go,
there was a prince
with an mule in tow

And what really made
a lot of folks balk,
was the weird fact that
the mule could talk

Now this grumpy prince
was not too amused
so he sat right down
and for a day, mused

What ever could he do,
with some old, talking mule?
He was a royal prince!
Not a babbling fool!

He took the mule to town
And put him up for sale
With an old bale of hay
and a watering pail

And so the mule was sold
to a very old man
and his very old wife
of the Coconut Clan

The family was nuts
but they gave the mule hay
and let him run amok
in the pastures all day

And at night the farmer
would talk to the mule
and when the mule talked back
all the neighbors would drool

No one would believe
that the mule could speak
and to all of them
the future was bleak

Until one day, the old man died
The man's wife and the mule cried
Then the woman went to sleep
Never made another peep

And the mule was sad
he ran far away
to a far off castle
all night and all day

He crossed the deep, dark moat
And went to the throne room
when the King saw the mule
he knew he'd met his doom

"Hello old prince" said the mule
"Hello" the prince replied
and ran for his life
despite all his pride

The mule sat on the throne
and let out a defeated drone
He didn't have a clue
for there was nothing else to do

"I guess I'm king now" he said
And placed the royal crown on his head

Soaring through the wind
Nothing matters anymore
Just the sky and me

I'm cemented to a bitter stone
Frozen on empty lie
Something never understood
Trapped in an eternal state of
Why?

I watch you through the frosted glass

Standing here
Watching through the glass
Everything is so unclear.
Standing here
Miles and miles away
Through the smoke I disappear
Far away
Where your eyes don't see me
Standing here

Translucent wishes,
Fogged up memories
Secrets never uncovered
Unsaid words begging to be
Free

I watch you through the frosted glass

Standing here
Watching through the glass
Everything is so unclear.
Standing here
Miles and miles away
Through the smoke I disappear
Far away
Where your eyes don't see me
Standing here

Get out of my head
Get out of my mind

It's like I can't run
and I can't hide

Standing here
Watching through the glass
Everything is so unclear.
Standing here
Miles and miles away
Through the smoke I disappear
Far away
Where your eyes don't see me
Standing here

Sunlight filters through my window
I feel the warmth of sun rays' touch
It helps me know, it helps me see
Just why I love my life so much

If you're missing love,
find it.

If you've lost your way,
ask directions.

If you've fallen,
climb.

If your happiness left you,
chase it.

If a storm's approaching,
find a tree.

If you can't find work,
make it.

If you're thirsty,
drink

If you're hungry,
eat.

If the fridge is empty,
find a store.

If the store's closed,
What is dirt for?

If you're flying,
watch your head.

If you're running,
watch you're back.

If you're 'too tired',
sleep's overrated.

Out of breath?
Well so is air.

Life doesn't live you
You live life.

Life is like the trial version of a computer program.
If you want full benefits, there's a price to pay.

If you owe it,
pay it.

If something's undone,
do it.

You're always in my mind
No matter what time of day
You're always on the tip of my tongue
And on the end of my pen
I've had my best times with you
And my worst
Our lives quite rarely intertwine
We're always traveling separate paths
But that's what makes our friendship so special
I can tell you anything
And you'll never judge
And you can tell me anything
Knowing that I won't
You are only one of few
But if you are one of those
You'll know it when you read this poem
Because this poem is for you
You make my life special
And keep my head high
And when I think that all is lost
You surprise me by showing up
Right when I need you most
This poem I wrote so that you'll see
Exactly what you mean to me
So thank you to those rare few
For everything and all you do
You keep a smile on my face
And make this world a better place

It’s so disturbing to see what people come to
How quickly they ruin what might have been
It’s so disturbing to see people go from light to dark
It physically hurts to watch them fall

It’s so disturbing to watch your friends whither
As they turn their back on heaven’s light
It’s so disturbing to see the past disappear
To watch as history demolishes itself

It hurts to see people ruin themselves
People who were so close to you
Friends and neighbors moving on
And leaving you wondering what is right

It’s hard to leave the past behind
The memories you thought were life itself
Those moments you wish would last forever
Old jokes never told again

It can’t be stopped
It can’t be avoided
It can only be accepted
No matter how hard it feels at first.
And then forever.

No one lives forever. It all
Ends someday. It can be
Very sad. But it happens anyway.
Everyone you know, all that you
Remember, may not be around, but they can live
Forever. It may seem impossible, but
Only if you believe it so. Just like
Rain that never falls, it is your friend, it is your foe.
Go to that place you only find in your deepest memory.
Everyone you've ever known where they'll
Together always be.

I hear the laughter
I see the cheer
I feel the warmth
From ear to ear

We're all together
We're all the same
We're all playing
The very same game

And all around me
There are grins
Everyone's happy
Everyone wins

From ponytails
To sneaker soles
each of us chases
identical goals

We work and laugh
We're having fun
The road is rough
But we are one.

"I love you" are the most common words muttered on Valentine's Day.
On this one special day, everyone thinks of the people they care about.
Although Valentine's Day can sometimes cause more stress and sorrow than not,
We must remember what the day is really about.

In the next week, I challenge you to tell three people, "I love you."
Every day until the end of the week.

If they say it back, then you are loved.
If they don't they don't deserve yours.

Remember that the people who love you don't care about your quirks.
They accept your flaws and make you feel good about yourself.

Aim to get at least one, "I love you" every singe day.
In that sense, in that way, Valentine's Day will never end.

Look for the people who really matter and don't stop until you do.
And once you find them, hold them tight, and tell them, "I Love You."

I guarantee they'll say it back, and even if they find it hard.
Let them know you'll keep their heart and that you'll be their guard.

"I love you more than buttercups!" Said little Mary Liu
Said Tiny Tim to Mary Liu, "I love you more than glue!"
"I love you more than applesauce." Said Betty to Lucille.
Lucille replied, "I love you more than wet banana peel!"

"I like you more than broccoli." Said Kimmie to her mom.
Her mother smiled, "Kim I love you more than lemon balm."
"I love you more than ******." Debbie told her boyfriend Don.
Donny looked at her and said, "Me too! I wish that you were gone."

So in the end, it seems to seem that Valentines are not
Anything more than people who just like to spend a lot
Valentine's Day isn't quite as glorious as we
Swoon and croon and quite as big as we make it to be

I am headstrong because I always look to myself for approval before following any instruction.

I am positive because I always try and find the good in people no matter how deep it is.

I am proud because I’ve had so many opportunities in my life, and I feel I’ve taken many of them.

I am loyal because there is nothing I won’t do for a friend.

I am brash because I often rush into things without thinking.

I am clumsy because I run into walls a lot and often trip while going down the stairs.

I am kind because I do my best to help people less fortunate than me.

I am easily distracted because there’s always something more interesting than what I’m supposed to be doing.

I am hard-working because when I want something truly, there’s nothing that can get in my way.

I am strong because I stand for what I believe in and don’t let people take me down.

Where are you?
Where have you gone?
I'd like know.
Where have you gone?
One day you're here,
The next you're not.
I'd like to know.
Where have you gone?
I'm standing here.
Just like a fool.
My eyes are wide.
I nearly drool.
I'm standing here,
Just like a fool.
I'd like to know.
Where have you gone?
Please let me know.
Where have you gone?
Is it just me?
Or is it you?
I'd like to know.
Where have you gone?
Where have you gone?
Where have you gone?
Let me know
Just where you are.
Are you near?
Or are you far?
Just let me know
Just where you are.
I miss you here
It's so bizarre.
But until you're ready,
Au revoir.
Where have you gone?
Where have you gone?

I'm not sure where I am.
Somewhere near or somewhere far
I'm not sure where I am.
Can you get there by plane?
Can you get there by car?

I'm not sure where I am.
Oh, when did I leave this place?
I'm not sure where I am.
Or who I am.
Or what I am.
I do not recognize even my own face.

I'm not sure where I am.
A place of bliss or one of dark?
I'm not sure where I am.
I can't see from the shadows.
I can't create the tiny spark.

I'm not sure where I am.
Where have I gone from here or there?
I'm not sure where I am.
Or who I am.
Or what I am.
I do not recognize even my own face.

I'm not sure where I am.
I cannot see through the fog.
I'm not sure where I am.
I am trapped forevermore
In this sticky, snatching bog.

Somewhere deep inside my head
A place where only I can be
A place where no one can be led
A place where I can hardly see

I'm not sure where I am.
Or who I am.
Or what I am.

But, I do know that I am.
I always was.
I'll always be.

I'm not sure where I am,
but wherever I am,
I'm free.

Some days, for me, my brain doesn't work.
I find myself acting a fool.
But my friends and I share a smirk.
And I find that I really feel cool.

It doesn't matter what people say.
It only matters what you think.
You're a cool person every day.
And you might find that you're on the brink.

Genius is in the eye of all those,
who know what genius really is.
I promise that your genius shows.

Even if nobody sees it.

I promised I always would.
I promised that I'd never.
I promised you no time at all.
I promised them forever.

I promised that I'd go to sleep.
I swore I'd stay awake.
I promised that I'd never steal.
I promised that I'd take.

I promised him a desert.
I vowed to her an ocean.
I swore that I'd abandon them.
I promised them devotion.

I swore I'd hide inside the dark.
I vowed to be the light.
I promised them all love and peace.
I promised them I'd fight.

I thought of all my promises before I fell asleep.
I thought of all my promises, all those I couldn't keep.
I thought of all the people, all those whom I've denied.
I knew that day, that very night, I'd have to pick a side.

I'm a writer because I think in third person.
I'm a writer because I've always got a pen somewhere.
I'm a writer because I imagine a story for every situation.
I'm a writer because there are always bits of paper in my hair.

I know I'm a writer when I talk to my imaginary friends at night.
My fictional characters sing me to sleep.
Instead of calling my friends, I hang out with my dictionary.
I know I'm a writer because my head is always off in some cloud.

I'm a writer because I've got twenty notebooks.
I'm a writer because every one of those books are full.
I'm a writer because I'm closer to my characters than to my family.
I'm a writer because I know there's always one more finger to pull.

I know I'm a writer when my favorite memories are the ones on paper.
The words in my head are my very best friends.
Instead of going to parties, I read my favorite book again.
I know I'm a writer because that is who I've been since forever.

I'm a writer because I have a notebook of vocabulary words.
I'm a writer because I started collecting them for fun.
I'm a writer because words bow at my command.
I'm a writer because that is who I am.
It doesn't matter where I go in life or who I'll someday be...
I'll always be a writer, and that is what means most to me.

It took so long to decide what to sing to you.
So I wrote this song just for you.
Sometimes you have to,
Take the bull by the horns and sing,

Uh uh, Uh uh
That Same Old Song...
And it goes,

Up and down again,
Each and every day, it comes,
It comes around again!
That Same Old Song.

And though the years go by,
And now I'm old enough to fly,
That song it stays the same!
That Same Old Song...

Sometimes, I know, my head isn't in the right place
I know, you would, like to break my neck some days,
But you, always, find a way to put a smile on my face,

And we sing, Uh uh
That Same Old Song...
And it goes,

Up and down again,
Each and every day, it comes,
It comes around again!
That Same Old Song.

And though the years go by,
And now I'm old enough to fly,
That song it stays the same!
That Same Old Song...

And even though, sometimes we fight,
You help me jump, and reach new heights!
Sometimes you have to,
Take the bull by the horns and sing,

Uh uh, Uh uh
That Same Old Song...
And it goes,

Up and down again,
Each and every day, it comes,
It comes around again!
That Same Old Song.

And though the years go by,
And now I'm old enough to fly,
That song it stays the same!
That Same Old Song...
That Same Old Song...
That Same Old Song!

It's that wonderful time of year again,
when we gather with family and friend

And as the candlelight dances
I feel it deep in my heart

That holiday spirit, that holiday feeling
when we all gather around the table,
singing our songs, laddi da.
Until the candlelight fades and the sun drops down
Only happiness is left hanging around.

After all of the family's been fed
The rest of the evening lies ahead

And through the smiles and laughter
I feel it deep in my heart

That holiday spirit, that holiday feeling
when we all gather around the table,
singing our songs, laddi da.
Until the candlelight fades and the sun drops down
Only happiness is left hanging around.

And as the music is ending
I feel it deep in my heart

That holiday spirit, that holiday feeling
when we all gather around the table,
singing our songs, laddi da.
Until the candlelight fades and the sun drops down
Only happiness is left hanging around.

Life doesn't often give you gold.
It gives you sugar, which dissolves quickly.
After it's gone, it leaves an odd taste in your mouth,
Until life decides to give you another dose.

That's why sugar's more precious than gold.

Fruit is very sweet.
It can also be **** though.
But then so is life.

Awkwardly I stand my ground.
Awkwardly I'm standing there.
Should I smile? Should I frown?
Awkwardness is in the air.

Awkward in the morning fog.
Awkward in the evening light.
I've been awkward all along.
Though I think that I'm alright.

I've got lots of awkward friends.
We are awkward every day.
The awkwardness it never ends.
But together, it's okay.

Awkward I am, but I'm proud.
To be awkward is a gift.
I don't have to make a sound.
I can give the mood a lift.

Though I'm awkward I still smile.
There's much to be happy for.
I'll be walking down the isle.
Awkwardly and then some more!

There's no point being ashamed.
If you're awkward, please be proud.
If you're awkward and get blamed.
Just awkwardly smile and say real loud:

"I am awkward, but that's me!
And that is how it's supposed to be.
So come and be awkward with me.
If you try it, then you'll see!"

He cut through her heart with a blade ice,
His love had fled on a raven’s wing.
Under the shadow of his sacrifice,
A deep crevice swallowed everything.

A fated love doomed at the very start.
A love to burn in an icy flame.
Condemned by the blood of a frozen heart,
The death of light surely was to blame.

The love would exist in an empty crypt.
The will of the fates spoken too soon,
As if printed upon a hallowed script
On a hill she sat beneath the moon

He would find her there, that was to be true,
He would crush her heart without a thought
The flower’s petals, alas, far too few.
The maiden’s sorrow he cruelly brought.

As though her fragile heart were made of glass,
It shattered under his icy spell.
Her identity scattered through the grass.
Of her no more one would ever tell.

Although he did sit and delicately,
Retrieve the pieces of his true love.
Gone from the world she had definitely,
Long vanished into the world above.

But he as well had gone from the dark earth.
And though the two had gambled with death,
There can be not death if there is not birth,
Again they rose, unified in breath.

The love had been fated and it was doomed,
But after the dark comes always the light.
The promise of life, ahead of them loomed.
No hate versus love, nor wrong versus right.

Those few who survive the disease,
return to life stronger.

Although more wary and unforgiving than ever,
they return.

And they are stronger than before.

My eyes are drooping.
I am getting quite sleepy.
The night is now here

Water dripping down the wall
chair is tipping, I might fall
water dripping on my head
how I wish that I was dead

Clock is ticking way too slow
Can't be 1 o clock I know
Clock is lulling me to sleep
Time so slow I'd like to weep

Flip through my book page by page
I'm sure reading's all the rage
Flipping pages, nothing new
Must be something else to do

I've been here a thousand years
Drowning in my own shed tears
How long I've been in this room
Sitting, drowning in the gloom.

How I wish that I was out
Roaming, running all about
I wish I could change the world
Someday my flag will be unfurled.

In the blink of an eye,
Everything is gone.

Siblings and children
playing in the sun.

In the blink of an eye,
it all goes away.

Families together
at the end of the day.

In the blink of an eye,
All hope is lost.

Lives have been spent
on an unjust cause.

In the blink of an eye,
Lives are torn apart.

Some have barely
even had a start.

In the blink of an eye,
My faith is destroyed.

My hope for humanity
falls into the void.

One Up
Four Down
Three In
Five Around
Seven Backwards
Two Between
Six and Then There's
You and Me

What does it mean to write?
Are there fences?
Are there rules?
Is the clear blue sky the limit?
Is it endless or finite?

Should we follow a path?
Is it left?
Or is it right?
Do written words have restrictions?
Like arithmetic and math?

Do you have to be good?
If you are bad,
Should you quit?
Is there even fine a boundary?
Do we really think there should?

Are words upon a page,
A form of life?
Our hallowed kin?
Are the words that live within us,
Our own breath-restricting cage?

Everyone has a song that is uniquely their own.
And once they learn to play it.
Nothing in the world.
Nothing at all.
Can stop them from achieving their dreams.
Reaching new heights.
And making the world a better place for us all.

Roses are yellow
Violets are grey
I hate mushrooms
Mom go away

Shall I compare thee to a rotten raisin?
Thou art much less fermented.
The flies come if they’re left out in a bin.
But the sun just makes you demented.

Sometimes I find a box melted in my car.
And thus it sticks like crazy glue.
And since my Drain-O is not up to par,
Thus am I as stuck to you.

But the only time I’ve seen you melt is while looking in my eyes.
And being around you is as sweet, almost as sweet as those,
Old, fermented, raisins baked into cherry pies.
And never ever have I had to pour acid up your nose.

As long as flies steer clear of you, I shall be content.
With my handsome sun-made lover, although your nose is bent.