each day and night i try to raise my ribs
each day and night i cry as my lungs fail me
each day and night i sigh as you slip into my brain
each day and night i ask myself why
why did you do this
why do i do this to myself
why am i like this
am i not enough?
will i ever be enough?

at times, i feel as though the world was at arm's reach
i am the queen, the beloved mother of my people
my hot curls are blowing in the wind
as i face the army whose aim is to destroy me

but now, i am nothing

Tell mama,
I'll be alright,
I'll do my best,
Keep my eye on the prize,

Tell mama,
I'll never let go,
Even when no one is there,
I'll do it on my own,

Tell mama,
I still dream the dream,
I won't let anything
come in between,

Tell mama,
To be proud and happy as she can be,
Tell mama,
I still got some fight in me,

When the rains fall from the sky,
I upturn my face,
embracing every drop.

Let the clouds cleanse me, reverse today. Erase
the blood, the sweat -
may the Heavens cry for me
so that I don't have to.
Let the thunder clap above me,
the lightning strike beside me,
charge me,
for I am drained of the day.
Bring me back to life because the day has weighted me and I am tired.
I am broken.

Let the rain melt me,
break me down until I am nothing left
but another puddle
among other puddles,
pooled upon the ground.
And after the storm is through, let me rest.
When the ripples have subsided,
and when the sun returns,
I will rise.

the water is streaming down my face
making me numb to the feeling of my tears
it runs through my hair and down the small of my back
replacing the path his hands would travel
reminding me that his touch was even softer than water

I played a station we never used to listen to
the music in the background is muffled and distant
but suddenly a memory plays through the speakers
and the lyrics become clear as day and ten times louder
all at once I feel the stream of tears again

I plug the drain and lay on the porcelain
hot water rains down on me until the bath is full
the rain stops and everything is still
for the first time in a long time I inflate my lungs completely
and I *float

on your own terms
in your own way
you left me
and you walked away
I'm broken for now
changed forever
I want to forget
and never remember
your moan in my ear
you hands on my hips
your body against mine
and your lips on my lips
the way you were with me
was special and true
or so I thought
I thought I knew you

picture you're life-
our life-
you and me together-
we're driving over that bridge--
right there.
(points to the left)
and we roll down all the windows
and im playing my guitar-
so loud---
that the ocean freezes over,
just to hear you sing-
to the music.
because you're voice,,
it tells a story.
the story of us.
the one we'll write.
an original.
sing it loud baby girl,
sing it loud

when u go to take a picture
you're truly taking it away
the meaning
the being
the matter and the mind
what you think you're taking now
is what you lose within

so use your eyes as lenses
the dimensions seem to focus
as you observe the beauty
of the real
avoid the false enjoyment
the madness of imagery

The Grim Reaper reaches deeper,
Over-eager to catch a keeper,
Create another ever-sleeper,
At the expense of ever-weepers.

Playing heart-string harps, his hand extends,
Lost in searching, he transcends
O'er prayers and pleas. He descends:
The catalyst of anguished ends.

A terminator of life's coda,
Enternally, he fills his quota.