Water invades my nose and lungs
I cannot untangle my feet from the rope
Rocks continue to rip the skin from my feet
Tearing and bruising my knees.
The rapids are pulling me out and under
I cannot find a place to stop.
I surface but only see trees rush past
I can feel rocks to stop myself
But my bare feet cannot find traction.
I grab a tree root, and pull myself up.
The water is still strong, but I am lucky.
I laugh hysterically, until I sob.
I shake in the water and wait for help.
I am alive.

Such a large leap
I need my safety net.
I am afraid
Excited
Nervous
In love
Suspicious
Everything at one time.
Leaving my nest
And joining yours
Just a move across town
Feels like a move worlds away.

Be wary, young lady
Do not assign your self worth
To what others give to you
For as easily and freely as it is given
It can be taken away.
But if you can stand alone
If you can exist in a place
Where you recognize your own value-
Be at peace.

Just when I think
You've gone for good
You show me
That I'm still needed.

I am convenient.
I am here when you have no one
So you seek me.
You know I will always be around
And am desperate enough for love
To cling to anything you give me.
But when you have a new
Girlfriend/Boyfriend/Coworker
Suddenly I disappear.
So maybe this time I will disappear.
Maybe this time I'll leave
And next time you want
Something convenient
You will have to look elsewhere.

What we did not like about her?
What we complained about?
That she made us feel like we weren't worth it,
Like we weren't important
Now that she had someone to love?
You're making me feel this way.
And I should be used to it
Because you always do this
When you are with someone.
So what does it matter
If I move out now
And go be with someone who cares about me
And loves me.
Yes I may have only known him
For this short time-
But I have known you for years
And you break my heart
Easier than anyone I know.

I feel my life ticking away
I feel a need to be a mother
But I can hardly handle a dog
And I am not married
I am in love
But that is not enough.
I want to carry life within me
But I cannot.