You know my interests,
My hobbies and passions,
You know what I look like,
And you think I'm attractive.

You know my routines,
You can call my bluff,
You know all the facts,
And you think that's enough.

But knowing about me
Isn't knowing me at all,
If you're afraid to go deep,
How far could you fall?

There's no satisfaction,
In facts or rapport,
Or scripted conversation,
I'm yearning for more.

I want to be known
To the depths of my soul
I'm so tired of surface,
So tired of shallow.

I'm ready to risk it,
So come grab my hand,
And we'll jump together,
Into the deep end.

People always ask me
Why I'm always so happy
Well my answer is
That someone's gotta be

Who else can I count on
When I need motivation
Or cheered up or calmed down
Or to ease my frustration?

People always ask me
Why I care so much
Well my answer is
No one else cares enough

Who else can I count on
To care about my day
Or to absorb my feelings
Or hear what I have to say?

Other's aren't concerned
And they don't need to be
No one can do it better
So I'll care about me.

You're all you need
And you are enough
You're all you're promised
And you're all you've got

People come and go
So stop depending
And take time to create
Your own happy ending.

Replace yelling with laughter
And judgment with understanding
Replace hatred with kindness
And falling with standing

Replace hurting with helping
Lift up, don't push down
Replace insults with compliments
We can turn this around.

Replace bad with good
Replace fire with water
The world's hard enough
So why make it harder?

And before you say
You would if you could,
That there's just no hope..
No excuses; be the good.

Some are bathing in money
Some can't bathe at all.
Some are given a head start
Some are forced to crawl.

Some have their own maids
Some live on the street.
Some have personal chefs
and some can't eat.

Some sleep in their beds
Some sleep in the snow.
Some are rising to the top
Some are stuck below.

Some work hard and make millions
Some work hard and make none.
Some have so many options
and some wish for just one.

Divide and conquer?
No, divide and fall.
Try giving, not taking
There's enough for us all.

You said the right things
You flattered and charmed
Convinced and promised
Until I was disarmed

Your words were golden
They sparkled and shined
They shined so brightly
I must have gone blind

I invested myself
In the words you sold
But all that glitters
Is not gold

I've always heard
That talk is cheap
Well my words are diamonds
And yours are free

You don't mean what you say
You don't do what you mean
Your words are free
But they're costing me

I've searched for, discovered,
And I'm ready to be,
Shamelessly
Unapologetically
Magically
Me

Take me as I am,
Or dont take me at all.
No bending, no breaking,
It's time to stand tall.

Pressure, deadlines,
Trauma and stress,
Give me the weight of the world,
And I will carry it.

But as strong as I am,
I'm even more weak.
My strength is all surface,
But my weakness runs deep.

Inside I'm so fragile,
So please be aware,
Like glass, I break easily,
So handle with care.

Give me impossible jobs,
And I will fight through them all,
But if you throw a sharp word,
I will crumble and fall.

I'm strong but so weak,
I'm fragile, hard to reach,
My strength is thin, my weakness deep,
So please break in, but don't break me.

Your path has been covered
With broken glass,
And they're wondering why
You've been running so fast.

You're calloused but strong,
You're tough but in pain,
You're unstoppable,
But your glass is blood stained.

Your whole life has been danger,
You can handle anything,
But even the strongest,
Need a safe place to stay.

So come walk with me,
And we'll find a new path,
I will bandage your wounds,
And lead you to soft grass.

Let me be your safety,
We can turn your shattered past,
Into a stained glass window,
Lighting up our new path.

Age, race, gender, height
Curly, straight, dark, light,
Tall, short, thin, wide,
Nobody's the same outside.

Chinese, Asian, Indian,
Portuguese or American,
We're born into
Our environments.

But if one plus one is two,
Nobody tries to argue,
Because numbers have
unchanging values,
and humans
should
too.

Skin and bones,
Heart and soul,
And that alone,
Makes us valuable.

We are skin and bones,
We are heart and soul,
We are all the same,
And our values don't change.

Age, race, gender, height,
We are one,
And we're all alright.
Skin and bones,
Heart and soul,
We're all the same,
And our values don't change.

Autumn falls down
Every year,
She wants to be caught
But no one is near.

She becomes cold,
Dresses in snow,
With winter ice
down to her soul.

But then she blooms
And springs back up,
She defrosts and
picks her own self up.

She's warm and smiling
On a summer high,
Her worries, now birds
floating up in the sky.

But summer ends, fall begins,
And autumn falls down once again.
Notice what the seasons are doing,
So when you fall, just keep on blooming.

He asked how life was going,
I said, "I couldn't ask for more.
I love my job, my friends and family,
Always smiling, how about yours?"
He said, "Well, I got fired,
I guess I'm always late.
And my wife just left me stranded,
When she caught me on a date."

And as we sat there reflecting,
On how things have become,
He looked at me and stated,
"You sure have some good luck."
And at first, yes, I agreed.
"Yeah, good luck, I'm sure that's it.
But wait, isn't luck,
Just an outcome brought by chance?"

And if it's all up to luck,
Why bother working hard,
To finish all your goals?
In fact, why even start?
When it comes to all my "luck,"
Oh, it is no accident.
Every single move I make,
Is done with intent.

I am living on purpose,
I am acting with cause,
All the good things that happen,
Only happen because,
My decisions are precise,
And they all insist,
On bringing me nothing,
But complete happiness.

Life doesn't have to be,
"Take what you get."
Decide what you want,
And go running after it

How nice would it be
If we were always prepared
For all situations
And from surprises, were spared?

But rain doesn't wait
Till the shelter is raised,
And sun doesn't wait
Till you're wearing your shades.

Mud doesn't wait
Till you're wearing old shoes,
We can't always be ready,
And I'm not ready for you.

No shelter, no shades,
No shoes and no time;
Here you come, taking over
My unprepared mind.

Are you broken, or are you whole?
Are you falling, or standing tall?
Are you sinking, or floating along?
And who decides this, after all?

Do you fly with the wind,
Wherever it blows?
In thunder or lightning,
Sunshine or snow?

Are you a victim of circumstance?
Do you soak in the rain, freeze in the snow,
Wherever the wind
Just so happens to blow?

But since when does the wind decide,
Whether we are wet or dry?
Or happy or sad? Or broken or whole?
We've lost control of what we own.

It's not up to the wind,
Or your boss or soul mate.
It's not up to your friend,
Or your terrible date.

It up to you, and you alone,
To create a foundation so strong,
You can remain grounded
When the wind comes along.

So are you broken, or are you whole?
Are you falling, or standing tall?
Are you sinking, or floating along?
The decision is yours, after all.

As I grow up
My world grows out
And I realize that it's bigger
Than my house and hometown.
Along with my state
And my country too,
And I can see it all
If I want to.

As I learn more
I realize
That a million facts
Can't make me wise.
Yet there's so much to know
About all that exists,
And all that can stop me
Are my own limits.

As I do more
I understand
That I can do anything
Small or grand.
It's all possible,
Whether hard or easy
Whatever I do
Is up to me.

There are endless things
to learn, do and see
So pick out your favorites
And chase them passionately.

I'm a book
that no one wants to read.
I'm a rose
that's hidden in the weeds.
I'm a sun
that's covered by the clouds.
A diary
who's key cannot be found.

People aren't concerned,
and they think they know,
what lies beneath,
even though,
the current is swirling
and whirling away,
while the surface is smooth
on this beautiful day.

It's you against the world
And you think you're too far gone.
Lost to the point of no return,
You're barely hanging on.

There's too much pain to handle
And you'll do anything
To keep from hurting anymore
So your fighting fists keep swinging.

But there's no such thing as hopeless
You're never too lost to be found.
You don't always have to start running
As soon as your feet hit the ground.

Not everyone's out to hurt you
So let down those guarding walls.
Brick by brick, just drop them
Throw them, crush them, watch them fall.

But things cannot get better
If your feet stay on the path
That's leading you to nowhere
Except a pit of endless wrath.

So turn around right now
And give your best in all you do
Turn on the light, start doing right,
And the best will find you too.

I'm holding it together all day long,
I'm wearing a smile so it looks like I'm strong,
I'm good at pretending nothing is wrong,
I don't need anyone to help me along.
I've got all this pressure but no relief,
I'm so locked up when I want to be free,
I didn't get in a fight, and yet somehow I'm beat,
but I'll always stand tall, no need to be weak.
I'm getting quite good at being alone,
no reason to feel above or below,
no one to try to change me or control,
no one to see my highs or my lows.

I'm alright with being alone tonight,
I just need to be told it'll be alright.

We are born into the world,
and we think that it is good,
that no one would ever hurt us,
and wouldn't even if they could.

The world is full of smiles,
people long to see our face,
there's no heartbreak, tears or failure,
only hope and endless grace.

But then we see more clearly,
and some things begin to change.
Our fairytale world crumbles,
and our blue skies turn dark gray.

The smiles have all been replaced
with hatred, fights and pride.
Fingers are crossed in promises,
leaving faith and trust behind.

Hope melts away so quickly,
and our false foundation sinks.
We see things as they truly are,
or at least that's what we think.

But then we see more clearly,
past the pretend fairytale,
and the made-up horror film,
and we finally see what's real.

Nothing is all good or bad,
but if one little tiny flame,
can light a room of darkness,
then light wins, and hope remains.

Rain ruined your plans
but brought a flower to life.
The sun made you sweat
but it's giving you light.

Trees shed in your yard
but provide you with shade.
Birds ***** your car
but sing songs every day.

Good comes with bad
just as bad comes with good.
The idea of misfortune
is misunderstood.

You're missing the good things
that happen each day.
You consider them bad
But see them the wrong way.

Your perspective is
the only bad thing here.
So just flip your mind around
and change what you see and hear.

Dear future self
How are you?
Are you happy and healthy?
Do you love what you do?

Who did you marry,
if anyone at all?
How did you meet?
Who made the first call?

I hope that you haven't
lost all my friends.
And I hope you haven't
forgotten my plans.

Not plans of what to do
or where to live,
but how to be
and how to live.

I'm not too worried
about your career
or the money in your bank
But I hope your mind's clear.

I hope you still see
that who you have
is far more important
than what you have.

I hope you still see
that who you are
is far more important
than what you are.

I hope that you haven't
forgotten how to smile
and I hope you still see
that everyone is worthwhile.

I hope that your life
doesn't revolve around work
whether you're a counselor
or a grocery clerk.

I hope that your value
isn't in money from your job.
It should be placed in the things
that can't be stolen if robbed.

I hope that you're still
very good at realaxing
and I hope that your words
haven't turned into acting.

I hope you don't hurry
and rush through each day.
I hope your mind's colorful
and never just gray.

But most of all
I just hope that you
love how you're living
and love all that you do.

Do you ever feel like
life is a storm?
And you never stop seeing
those black clouds form?

The wind is blowing
you all around,
you can't find peace
or solid ground.

But you don't have to
get swept away
by the storms that
try to take you today.

Calmness surrounded
by chaos exists.
The eye of the storm
is where this peace lives.

You can't stop the storm,
so why even try?
But you can always find peace
if you stay in the eye.

So let the storm surround you,
let it try to steal your peace.
But in the eye standing strong and still
you cannot be reached.

It's hard to accept
and harder to admit
but I do a lot of things
that don't make sense.

I'm often asked why
because people don't get it.
But there's not much to get,
it's just how I like to live it.

I take the long way home
just to see the view,
I waste gas and drive for hours
just to feel brand new.

I'll drive two miles more
and pass three stores on the way
because the fourth one is my favorite
and those people make my day.

I spend money and time
on what most people avoid,
but I do things however
they can be most enjoyed.

How much can you pile
on a paper plate
before it bends and bends
and finally breaks?

But the question is
what is to blame?
Is the plate too weak
or holding too much weight?

Glass and plastic can break too
if they're carrying bricks.
So before you choose your helping
find your strength and then pick.

Each day is like a Rubik's Cube
Complex, confused, without a plan
I try to align it perfectly
But it seems I never can.

All day I'm trying hard to solve
the exhausting, tiresome and endless fight
Trying to figure out the perfect way
to have the same colors on every side.

No matter my efforts, I'm always left with
One orange in the yellow, two blues in the red,
three greens in the white,
forty thoughts in my head.

I could cheat and switch the stickers
I could call and ask a friend
I'm not good at solving problems
But at least I can pretend

But when push turns into shove
I can't solve it by aimlessly shifting
I can't learn it by aimlessly watching
And I can't live by aimlessly drifting

So no longer will I sit back and watch
other people figure out my life for me
I'll take my time and color my sides
Because no one can live life for me.

Have you ever
noticed when you
look at the trees
in the winter
they're all brown
once they've lost all their leaves?

Except one,
the Sycamore.
It stands proud and white,
It shines bright
like a star
on the darkest of nights.

But the Sycamore isn't
white on its own.
Like the rest, it is brown,
Then it sheds
its rough bark
and is the brightest around.

So when you're lost
and you're wondering
just how you should be,
shed your bark
and shine bright
like a Sycamore tree.

We give thanks to the managers,
the presidents and CEOs.
We give thanks to the owners,
the govenors and heroes.

We give thanks to the leaders,
for all that they do.
We give thanks to the mayors,
and the supervisors too.

We see what they do,
and give thanks every day.
For roles so important,
don't they deserve all the praise?

But what about the one
who cleans up the mess,
that you didn't even consider
picking up when you left?

And what about the one
who holds open the door,
for ten hours each day
all while being ignored?

And what about the one
who drives you around?
In a car all day driving
rushed and rude people to town.

We admire the collage,
and we thank the artist too.
But do we ever take the time
to stop and thank the glue?

What would hold it together
if it were not there?
Who would pick up after you,
or drive you from here to there?

All the people in charge
may create a masterpiece,
but without the glue to hold it,
it would all just fall to pieces.

Where'd you go, self?
Where are you?
Are you hiding away,
or afraid to shine through?

Why don't you come
around anymore?
Did you get swept
up in the world?

Did you change who you are?
Did you buy a disguise?
Are you the one hiding,
or did I close my eyes?

Do you just have
too much to do?
Or am I the one
who's too busy for you?

Are you too ashamed
to show your face?
Why are you running?
Unlike others, I'll chase.

I'll be back
In a few days.
I've got to find myself,
Before I'm too far away.

I don't fit in
And I don't stand out
I just blend in
And get lost in the crowds

I'm just another person
On just another street
I don't know anybody
And nobody knows me

But things worth exploring
Aren't always explored
And things worth adoring
Aren't always adored

I'm just another face
Just another girl
But if you don't explore the oyster
You'll never find the pearl

I'm a dandelion
In a world of bees
I'm a piece of ice
In a world of heat

I'm a feather floating
In a world of storms
I'm a rose living
In a world of thorns

I'm a delicate soul
And the world is rough
But I won't be afraid
I'll just soften it up

I'm a little tree
With roots deep down
Not much on the surface
Mostly hidden underground

I'm not the most beautiful
And my fruits aren't the best
But my roots are much deeper
Than you ever would have guessed

A trees real strength
Is hidden in its roots
You can't survive a storm
Just by bearing the most fruit

I seem weak but I'm strong
I look plain but I'm deep
You can't tell who I am
Just by looking at me

Don't have many leaves
Can't provide much shade
But when the storms try to take me
I won't be afraid

She lives a quiet life,
she tiptoes around,
she whispers when she speaks,
she hardly ever makes a sound.

Although her words are quiet,
her mind is very loud.
She has so much to say,
but no one listens for soft sounds.

She's an invisible girl,
who doesn't want to stand out,
she just wants to be heard,
without having to shout.

Sometimes the loudest people,
aren't saying much at all.
Empty words and promises,
just leave their mouths and fall.

But whispered words fly high,
and catch peoples attention,
they're intriguing, so amazing,
but only when they listen.

So look outside the spotlight,
because often the real star,
isn't anyone on stage,
but the mind behind it all.

I like sunsets,
You like sunrise,
You like to plan,
I like to surprise.

You're on stage,
I have stage fright,
You like to speak,
I like to write.

You want to run,
I want to fly,
You like to win,
I like to try.

I am cotton,
You are steel,
You like to think,
I like to feel.

Puzzle pieces shaped the same,
can't properly align.
We fit together perfectly,
When our differences combine.

I talk too much,
I'm gaining weight,
I bite my nails,
I'm always late.

I wear too much makeup,
No hourglass shape,
Don't have a tan,
and I procrastinate.

I have no money,
To my name,
Some say to change,
But I'll stay the same.

Although I turn things,
Upside down,
At least I smile,
More than frown.

Fall is any photographer's dream.
They capture the colors, the morning steam.
They watch rainbows move into a tree,
They observe things no others can see.
They open their eyes and see heaven on earth,
They consider fall the season of birth.

They all ignore the inside,
set focus on the out,
spend time replacing confidence,
with ugly bitter doubt.
If you don't fit the mold,
they'll leave you right behind,
you're just another victim,
living in a world of blind .

If you need a lover,
count on me no longer.
I've got to let you go,
I've got to become stronger.

Please don't call me baby,
please don't call me dear.
there's no more going back,
my path is finally clear.

Please forget the memories,
please forget the flame.
but if you need a friend,
please don't forget my name.

Taken somewhere unknown,
blindfold over your eyes,
it feels simply beautiful,
your negativity dies.

Continuing your walk,
hear the birds and the trees,
they sound simply beautiful,
there's a soothing breeze.

One step after another,
you smell flowers and smile,
they smell simply beautiful,
you want to stay there a while.

Although you can't see,
here you feel at rest,
here you feel peaceful,
and here you feel your best.

Not persuaded through your eyes,
only knowing what is real,
not able to judge by what you see,
but only what you feel.

The blindfold is removed,
you're extremely caught off-guard,
when you realized you were walking,
around your own back yard.

One day you'll be together,
one day you'll feel alone,
one day you'll step outside your door
and smile on your own.

One day you'll fall in love,
one day you'll fall in hate,
one day you'll step outside your door
and go on your next date.

One day your world will turn,
one day it stops and then,
one day you'll step outside your door
and see it spin again.

Wishing for
a perfect guy
is like wishing for
a dusty drought
when it's pouring rain
and nothing's dry;
the smallest flaw
will make you doubt.

Everybody has
their flaws;
love doesn't
need perfection.
So let down the
guarding walls
and search for
a connection.

My tears fall down,
and slowly move south,
and mix with the words,
flowing out of my mouth.

They fly through the clouds,
and with the bees,
they float over the grass,
and through the trees.

And end up at the feet,
of a young girl,
who is currently holding,
the weight of the world.

They go to her heart,
and that's where they stay,
until she has learned,
and passed them away.

I'd like to be somebody else,
just for a single day.
It's not that I don't like myself,
and not so I can play.

I want to be somebody known,
and somebody with power.
Not so I can rule the world,
or hopelessly devour.

I'm not interested in money,
or spreading a false word.
I want to put a mind behind
a voice that's really heard.

Inside once was your heart,
it's been replaced with a pie chart,
it shows the groups and has their size,
it helps you choose your next disguise.

Changing and becoming cold,
so you can fit into the mold,
you hold your nose up in the air,
as you pretend that you don't care.

You're not completely true,
you're not one hundred percent you,
because you're now less of yourself,
and more like everybody else.

Things once were right on track and so sincere,
escaped our path, we ended up right here,
should I let go or should I hold you near?
What happened to our perfect love, my dear?

We used to be connected at the heart,
and every single move we made was smart,
our conversations were a piece of art,
but now we're only drifting far apart.

I miss feeling like I was in the air,
floating around without a single care,
I fell down but you seem so unaware,
not here to hold my hand or stroke my hair.

I gave you all I had to give and more,
it's time for me to spread my wings and soar.

Your insecurities change,
all that you hear,
who you are inside,
and how you appear.

It decides what you do,
and what you see,
it lessens what you want,
and who you'll be.

It won't let your dreams,
go as high as the sky,
you stay on the ground,
though you're able to fly.

Won't put your foot forward,
so you go with the flow,
too scared of goodbye,
to think of hello.

You're less than your best,
and a little too late,
your shoulders now carry,
a little more weight.

Slow your mind down,
and stop holding back,
'cause you are what you are,
and not what you lack.

I'm a butterfly with a broken wing,
there are more ways that I can rise.
I'm a midnight sky with dimming stars,
bright lights have always hurt my eyes.

I'm a weeping willow with a broken branch,
it is no longer in my way.
I'm a messenger bird that lost it's path,
I've always wanted to get away.

I'm a rose with one too many thorns,
less reason to be scared.
I'm a flawed diamond down in the dirt,
I'd rather be hidden than shared.

I sing a tune that's all my own,
some say it cannot be a song,
but many things become so right,
the second they seem wrong.

I see him staring from a distant place
I know he wishes only to embrace
not just my hand, my heart and soul as well
but for an unknown reason, keeps his space.

I feel his precious eyes sink into me
they're powerful to such a strong degree
I get quite scared and turn my head away
and will until my heart and mind agree.

Too many accounts of a broken heart
to even consider a brand new start
I contradict my heart and feed my mind
is nothing is formed, it can't fall apart.

I must pretend I am too blind to see
my honest love for him, and his for me.

We're living in the actor's age,
the world now serves as one big stage,
people are born, no longer need training,
to change who they are, to perfect entertaining.

The very center of the stage,
tends to act more as their cage.
They're born being told the way to success,
is to act like a character, and hope to impress,
to turn into who others want them to be;
to follow the current of the sea.

They're confined to a cage, yet they've lost themselves,
hope to find what they've lost on the costume shelves.
The spotlight blinds them, stops them from seeing,
who they should be and who they are being.

I am content in the front row,
it's easier to see my glow,
if there's no spotlight, mocking mine,
and dimming my all natural shine.

The front row let's me see what's around,
it's hard to feel lost, when I've already found,
out who i am so long ago,
I stay myself, even though,
those around me tend to change,
with the seasons, rearrange,
who they are and want to be;
to follow the current of the sea.

Not trapped in the cage, I have plenty of room,
to be who I am, and to fully bloom,
into who I am truly meant to be;
the one who strays from the current of the sea.

So ready for love, is it ready for me?
I keep my eyes open, but all I can see ,
are people walking around in pairs,
opening doors and pulling out chairs.

I see the way he looks in her eyes,
both feel like they're soaring through the skies,
my reaction is an envious stare,
as he opens her door and pulls out her chair.

I patiently wait until I can find ,
the person still unknown in my mind ,
who is looking for more than a hidden affair;
who will open my door and pull out my chair.

I feel lost in this paired up world,
everyone has their fingers curled ,
around another person's hand,
as if it were perfectly planned,
to leave me standing on my own,
left to pull out my chair alone.

So ready for love, is it ready for me?
is there a secret that I can't see?
While all may seem wrong I won't fall in despair;
I will open my door and pull out my chair.

You're like the creek in my back yard,
you come and go without regard.
When winter comes, you turn to ice,
you're staying strong; you're playing nice.

A sheet of ice; you entertain,
all winter long, you don't complain.
Although I may not not really be
in need of you, you're there for me.

When the hot summer months arrive,
I need your water to survive.
In winter months, you're always here,
but in the summer, nowhere near.

When I don't need you, you're around,
when times get tough you dry the ground.
You leave me thirsty when I need
you to help me, and not mislead.

When you long for someone to glide,
upon your glassy ice, or slide
around, think of the summertime,
and why you're now no friend of mine.

The number of bills,
that you have in your bank,
won't change how happy you are.
The gifts that you buy,
for the people you've hurt,
won't lessen the size of the scar.

The speed of your car,
is not fast enough,
to give you an early start.
The size of your wallet,
is not big enough,
to fill up your empty heart.

These physical things,
may seem to fulfill;
when really they're only a lie.
You can purchase,
anything you'd like;
happiness, you cannot buy.