I look to you once again
to see if you notice my pain.
You look at me completely baffled
unaware of what I've battled.

Is it too much to ask for validation
for you to share in my frustration
I'm not asking you to understand
acknowledgement is all I demand

I want you to see that it happened
not live in ignorance and think I imagined.
They say 'It is what it is,' and that is true
I just want you to say that you knew.

I want to know that I'm valid
no need to sing me a ballad
Just tell me what I already know
no need to wrap it in a bow
Just be very avid
about the fact that I am valid.

Quiet voices fill the night
you have to run before they bite
The shadows try to grab at you
from dark corners, they grab your shoe.

You know you should have listened
they told you ignorance is bliss and
to not go into the woods alone
but you were like a dog with a bone

You dodge the shadows
as they tear at your clothes
the menacing whispers grow louder still,
they leave you with an awful chill

a tree root catches you off guard
you fall and hit the ground hard
the fear rises up within you
as you watch the shadows form anew

the whispers are unbearable
they make you feel terrible
frozen in place, you can only stare
as they jump at you through the air

There once was a witch
who lived in the woods.
She went to the towns
and sold all her goods.

She had her own garden
and animals to spare.
She showed off her crystals
and never hid her prayers.

The townsfolk looked on
with growing distaste
as she sold her goods,
they want her erased.

So they gather their torches
with pitchforks and hounds.
They march to her house
and defile her grounds.

The crows all fly fast
to warn her they yell.
They give her the time
to cast her big spell.

When the townsfolk arrive,
they can't believe their eyes.
As the house started to rise,
they let out startled cries.

Now, she lives among the clouds.
Where she alone was always roused
by the chirping birds and crows
high up in her floating house.

they look at you with cold eyes
hard-set mouth and eyebrows rise
venom drips from their tongue
very coarse for one so young

so much anger within their soul
the glowing red embers of burning coal
they won't show weakness they won't show pain
they won't stop till their enemy's slain

that is what they show the world
fists clenched and eyebrows furled
they hide behind a tough guy charade
so no one can see them afraid

but ones you see past the mask
you'll be shocked and left to ask
why they are so nice and kind
but keep it all close, confined

An old man smiles and points the arrow
"you don't know they're just a sparrow."

Breathing deeply, I close the door.
Back to the wall, I sink to the floor.

Heart beating fast as tears burn my eyes.
I hug my knees tightly, I'm half my size.

It's all too much, I've had enough.
I run to my room when life gets rough.

Outside they yell and cry and strafe
but here these four walls keep me safe.

They hide me from the outside world
so I can lay in blankets, curled.

I run and hide and find my escapes
and try to forget my cuts and scrapes.

Standing tall on the highest mountain
surrounded by clouds and the most beautiful fountains.
Against all odds, the tree grew on the toughest rock
up in the sky with the highest-flying hawk.

The cherry blossom reached for the sky.
The cherry blossom wanted to fly
to see the world from up high
to see that last as it dies.

The cherry blossom reached its goal
but all too soon it lost control.
it wanted to see it all
even if it meant it'll fall

The cherry blossom reached and reached
while its trunk screeched and people preached
"trees aren't flexible," they cried
yet still, the cherry blossom tried

the cherry blossom soon adapted
for it never ever got distracted
its trunk had bent and curled
and soon it could see the world.

high above the clouds, we rise
as the world shrinks in size
I look to you smiling wide
we're here together side by side

we float past the green hillside
and I'm glad for this balloon ride
cause it's giving me more time with you
to see you in this golden hue

to see the wind dance and play
and lead your red curls astray
I love to see your excited smile
as we float across the isle

your dark brown eyes shine so brightly
I have to pull you close and hold you tightly
to run my hands down your soft, mocha arms
as you break down my walls with your charms

but this was a long, long time ago
and now I'm alone writing these poems
I miss our time together
flying in the fair weather
but now I must swallow my pride
and know we'll never go for another balloon ride