together paradise,
nearby connection;
distance vanishes,
real-time embrace;
coincidental timing,
inarguable intersection;
fated misfortune,
mutual blessing;
soothing aura,
blissful homecoming;
affectionate cradle,
passionate possession;
fervent assertion,
warmly pursued;
together forever,
resurrected relation

we confuse wishes with reality

and we confuse reality with dreams

we confuse dreams with what is

and we confuse what is with desire

we confuse desire with truth

and we confuse truth with fantasy

we confuse fantasy with certainty

if nothing is certain

how can we fantasize

if we don't know the truth

how can we desire

if we don't know what is

how can we dream

if we don't know reality

how can we wish

If I was to write a poem
On the story of my life
Words would fill those pages
As the stars steal the sky.*

© Melissa Carlson 2015

I cried
Until the night died
And morning came to rise*

© Melissa Carlson 2015

books are our friends
they will never betray
or fade away
they will not leave
or walk away
they are here to stay

© Melissa Carlson 2015

is love a pat on the back;
                                                   a handshake exchanged?
                                                   is love a smile unseen;
                                                   a song to ease the pain?

                                                   is love meant to last on and on;
                                                   is it there to be true?
                                                   is it meant to stay strong;
                                                   is it for the soul who's blue?

                                                   is love so sincere as "i love you;"
                                                   is it as informal as "see you soon?"
                                                   is it misused or confused;
                                                   has it been very terribly abused?

                                                   if love has more than once abandoned you,
                                                   if love has more than one time rescued you,
                                                   if the one who said his love was true,
                                                   has not for long remembered you.

                                                   love is too casually thrown around;
                                                   and love is sometimes better left unfound.
                                                   the thing about love is that it's meant to last,                                                            ­                                                                 ­               
                                                   but so many times love loves too fast.
                                                   -mc//

© Melissa Carlson 2015

I am not yet who I am supposed to be.

I have a past; I have regrets.
And there are words that I'd love to take back.

Shame can take me places I wish not to be.
Those things that I have done come creeping back to me.

I feel like a child who's lost and alone. I never feel safe, I never feel at home.

My eyes are blind, can this be? I feel like a prisoner who won't be set free.

© Melissa Carlson 2015

spindly limbs, midnight hair
little girl, sitting on the steps
disappointed, what's wrong with me?
Daddy, dance with me

far from your strong arms,
my heart dances with danger
those boys aren't men
Daddy, fight for me

take me back
love me, though I'm broken
I can be whole in your arms
Daddy, tell me I'm yours

wandering, running
finding an identity
a nomad for love
Daddy, teach me how

day dressed in white
he takes her wedded hand
light falls on their shoulders
Daughter, will you dance with me?

He wraps her as his
for the last time;
redemptive dance
Daddy, now I'm his

What else did you miss?

unprompted proposal.
official assumption.
sweet surprise.
not asked.
not bribed.
not coaxed.
+
not hushed.
simply loved.
bad timing.
Almighty appointment.
=
subtle reminders.
frequent tears.
positive impact.
two-way street.
what if.
why now.
questions abound.
relentless trust.
emotional orphan.
family embrace.