The blackest of nights
Were never quite so dark
As to extinguish
The stars.

Though darkness surrounds
Me and threatens to drown
I'm not overcome.

The sting of raindrops,
a thirst for outdoors.
Dusk, and the
whisper of leaves,
a certain silence. The evening hangs
still. I want to observe the
moment of change,
the discovery of strength,
a joining.

I love you as you are
Not as you ought to be.
I'm imperfect too,
As you will see.
The weight of mistakes
And brokenness
Is too much for one
Alone to bear
So Christ sends us friends,
And confidants,
With His Love to share.

Silver sparkles
Lost in a sea of purple fabric
Hair singed straight
Face painted
Laces stealing my breath away

Bittersweet, the hug
From an oft-absent father
The sinking feeling, unsatisfied
Without a clue as to why
Dread mounting, anxiety shouting

“You’ll be the prettiest girl at Prom”

Matte black
Broken by a silver bowtie
Hair combed back
Neat and orderly, obscuring
The sea of butterflies I hide

Euphoric, the hug
From the lady I’ll escort
Bright flashes in my eyes
Thumps of congratulations, I am
The lucky man to take the prettiest girl to the ball

“May I have this dance?”