Can I stop your reading of poems for a moment?
It will just take one second I promise
I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you

You may be thinking how I do not know you
But if you’re reading this
That must mean you’re still alive
And that is more difficult than it seems

I want to let you know
That you’re loved

And yiu may be thinking about how I have no idea
But I do
Because I love you

And I just wanted to remind you
That it wasn’t your fault
It wasn’t your fault
You did your best, dear

It wasn’t your fault

I just want to tell you that the sun was proud of you this morning
Because you got up
The moon was proud because you made it one more day
And your body was proud because yiu kept letting it store you soul for one more sunset

When will things calm down
When will there be some normality
When will the suffering end
When will calm come
A time of peace
Not turmoil
Not upset
It’s been a long time now
That things have been upside down
It’s been a long time since there was peace
We need more light
Not darkness
I pray all the time
For peace
For safety
I am waiting
When

Hoping for a symphony
Expecting just a penny whistle.
Praying for a miracle
Getting a vague promise.
Looking for the Hollyhocks
Finding wilted daisies.

Offering a helping hand
Finding no one needs one.
Asking for a helping hand
No one reaches out to me.
Giving one last urgent try
I write my number on the wall.

And hunker down behind a hedge
To see if anybody reads it.
Or if they only walk on by
Pursuing other goals and visions
That have no bearing on my needs
And leave me here with hands outreaching.
ljm

I wanted to be an artist
But instead, I have to write
It felt like a death sentence
A funeral of my thoughts paraded through every line

I used to think this writing
Was something I could not control
An entity separate from myself
Some godly gift I was made to play host

They say poetry is as old a time
So was I born with a seed planted in my heart?
Did childhood trauma unlock this age old art?
Was I damaged to the brink of another being inhabiting my spirit?

The walls must have cracked inside my head
I truly accepted I was to become nothing
Until these words kept spilling from my pen
Pouring out over and over so that I could finally breathe again

These sparks would come and leave whenever they wanted
Using my mind as if it's a vacation home
Like I'm an Airbnb or some excursion from the darkness
Leaving behind crumbs of poetry at my door

I used to believe I was not the authority
Of this treasure that I occasionally displayed
All alone with my little scraps of notes
Then, something happened I cannot explain

I sunk my teeth into this otherworldly guest
And chained them to my stained broken walls
Now the inspiration flows as if my cup was never empty
This new liberated ability that so fluently translates art

I wanted to be an artist
But my hands were not meant to be covered in paint and color
They were crafted long before the day I was born
To write inspiration into the hearts others

I was always meant to be a spout
For an endless flow of hallowed water
There was never an infiltration by an ancient angry entity
I was simply given the fate of a melancholy poet

Now that I'm in control of this limitless power
I see beauty in the wind and wide open space
Creativity can be triggered from the simplest conversation
Because everything is inspiring if you're looking in the right place

I'm grateful for this gift that was bestowed upon me
Whether trauma or inheritance, it's no longer relevant
Now I see the whole of existence as a literary muse
And the paintings that I write into your mind is where you'll find the artist

Come walk with me
Take my hand
Let’s stroll down a path
To see where it takes us
It’s been a long time
Come walk with me
Let’s go towards the forest
Covered in snow
Let’s listen to the quiet
Enjoy the stillness and peace
It’s been a long time
Come walk with me

Let’s go towards the beach
Let’s walk along the shore
Enjoy the sound of the waves
Smell the salt laden air
It’s been a long time
Come walk with me

Let’s walk home
Holding hands along the way
Just like we used to
So many years ago
It’s been a long time
Come walk with me
Let’s share our journey
Build some more memories
Let’s laugh and joke
Play like children
It’s been a long time
Come walk with me
It’s been a long time
I am waiting