If you tell me you fear heights,
I'll climb your highest mountains

If you tell me you fear water,
I'll sail your deepest oceans

Share with me your secrets,
I promise I won't tell them

If you admit that you feel broken,
I'll reassure you, your heart is golden

And if you fear to love again,
I'll show you that it's worth it

© JL Smith

For months
I've locked the deadbolt
To this
Battered heart
A few keys
Have tried
To open it
Failing the part

And as another
Comes and goes
A secured gateway
From the start
I've forgotten
All Along
Who holds my master key
The One who never departs

© JL Smith

I'll wear myself out
Carrying this load
The one I believed I must burden

Embedded in my mind
Long ago
To heed echoes of the more "knowledgeable" person

But I'm learning in time
All they exclaimed as what's best
Doesn't fit my mold, it only worsens

Disregarding their judgement
Abandoning expectations
Looking within to sculpt my greatest version

© JL Smith

Tonight, I dedicate this to you
My one-hundredth poem
To the reader who loyally returns
Day after day, view after view

For your support--warm words
Your encouragement and critique
And for the wisdom you've offered
I pray my poetry continually intrigues

You have a friend in me
If you've connected with my verse
I attempt to inspire love, kindness and growth
While revealing that your passion is a force

Do yourself a favor
Seize your greatness
Banish all cynics
Believe in your abilities
And live mightily courageous

Heed these steps
And watch the world around you change
The lives you will touch
Spread miracles through our gifts exchanged

© JL Smith

At times, I long for
Drops of rain instead of sun
Gardens full of green
Rather than concrete paths to run

Sometimes summer's absence
Of winter's frosted flakes
Leaves me desiring blankets of snow
In place of sweltering rays seeking shaded breaks

After witnessing so many dusks
Of painted, sunset skies
For once, I lust after the dawn
Wondering how morning colors reflect my eyes

But mostly, I covet the luminosity of stars
Among the night throughout my day
Yet, when darkness arrives, I miss you most
Yearning for warmth while you're away

© JL Smith

Please, don't leave me
You're all that I've got
I'm not ready to trust again
So, I'm alone
Here with you
Making sense of these thoughts

Only few understand
The power behind your art
I was gifted this talent
As it consumes me--every part

Others broke me down,
But you've strengthened my belief
As you flow freely
From my mind and veins with each heartbeat

Don't fail me, Words
You're all that I've got
You've lifted my spirit
To write is to share what life has taught

© JL Smith

This blanket brings warmth to most everyone
Yet, when I wrap it around me I seem colder
Yearning to thaw the frost from my bones
Within your arms, I melt while you smolder

© JL Smith

You say my name
Like it's your favorite

© JL Smith

Tonight, my tires traced the highway
I pulled over after missing my exit
Sidelined, I sat there
As the breeze through my window
Raised the hairs along my skin
And at once, it hit me
In that moment
Fear overcame bravery
Maybe you broke me
And there's no self-help book
To relearn how to let someone love me

© JL Smith

How soothing
The sound of rain
As it trickles across
My rooftop
Reminds me of
The summer day
We danced along
My sidewalk

© JL Smith

I was fascinated by magic
Until you chose to disappear

© JL Smith

I've never labeled myself a singer
My voice is rather shy,
But after we spoke
My heart belted an operatic cry

© JL Smith

Left out or left behind
In your shadow every time

Watched from afar
The praise you received

Admired you
And what you achieved

Your name well-known
Among our peers

Mine forgotten
Year after year

Relentless pursuit
Your path I followed

A hand-me-down
Everything borrowed

Sought your approval
Constantly dismissed

Realization in time
As I now reminisce

So similar to the eye
Yet worlds apart inside

I stopped being you
My first sense of pride

Earning recognition
Embracing my own strengths

Not ashamed of my weakness
Hope kept at arm's length

I've gained your respect
I know now it's not needed

Who I am, I always was
My own approval exceeded

© JL Smith

City lights
Emulating
Moonlight
Divided highways
Lead foot
Chasing midnight
Accelerated thoughts
Crisp breeze
Rear view mirror hindsight
You deserve better
Than a runaway
Trusting only
Her headlights

© JL Smith

Don't let me forget
My high
Flying above the earth
Peering out narrow windows
Through opaque skies
Watching familiar lands
Fade into unknown territory

Don't let me forget
The scent
Of summer's sweet drizzle
Driving through double rainbows
Crossing mountains
Concealed in lush greens
As my face beams

Don't let me forget
The spirit
Of grand cities
Bustling beings
And evolution of architecture
The accents of ancestors
Accepting my history

Don't let me forget
The power
Of voluminous river waters
Falling over a hundred feet
Crashing upon boulders below
Soaking my skin in its mist
As I approach its thunderous base

Don't let me forget
The love
Of new friends becoming family
An invitation of warmth
Delicious dining
Late-night laughs
And sincere, Until-next-times

Don't let me forget
To learn
To love
To live

© JL Smith

You took this heart
And devoured it whole
Digested it in pieces
Lunging after my soul

You dimmed the light
Gleaming from my eyes
Coerced tunnel vision
Blue to black skies

You silenced my dreams
Bringing nightmares to life
Sleep deprivation
Demon wielding a knife

You belittled my spirit
Envious of my growth
Made me pay in your anger
Sworn to secrecy,
Hidden oath

© JL Smith

YOU AND MY HEART
Questioning the pair

Never saw it coming
And suddenly, it was there

Yesterday you spoke
Smiled as a friend

Today something's different
I can't comprehend

Clouded judgment
Rationality impaired

Loss my train of thought
Feelings undeclared

It beats a little faster
Now that you're near

YOU AND MY HEART
The answer became clear

© JL Smith

I may not make much money,
But I make myself proud

My IQ isn't ranked genius,
But I can captivate a crowd

Neck and wrists don't shine with diamonds
Yet, my beauty radiates all the same

My tongue often twists and stutters,
But my script puts the best to shame

I seek solitude for peace,
But my loyalty is fierce

I may not know my destination,
But my faith is letting Him steer

© JL Smith

It is said that
Blood is thicker than water,
But my friend,
You quenched my desert thirst
As I wandered

© JL Smith

I'm harder on myself
Than you will ever be
You're more concerned with my world
Than your own scenery
It gets under your skin
The way you watch me progress
Contrasting yourself
Surrendering before success
Judging my every move
Accomplishments and failures
Embellishing the latter
To suit the envy you've tailored
Shift your energy and focus
It's not too late to start over
Accept I am my own worst critic
Yet, I continue planting seeds like the sower

© JL Smith

Sometimes
My greatest strength
Requires surrender of weight
Trusting a Higher Power
Intercedes to lift
While I maintain faith

© JL Smith

I've endured the deepest blue:
Shades of midnight,
Presidential and navy, too

Once was prescribed medication
To help see me through,
But learned you can't bottle happiness
So, I chose an alternative view

Transforming pain into power
Biding hurt adieu
I channeled my grief
Into spreading hope, love and laughter
Among dark palettes to brighten its hue

© JL Smith

If the grass
Ain't always
Greener
I'll set sail
Away from land

© JL Smith

Love greets you
In the morning
Amid the afternoon
And evening, too

But what I receive
I must ration
To keep me
Pulling through

The difference is
You're greedy
Needs become desires
And thus, you pursue

While my chest's
Ripped open revealing
My *****
Beating loyally for you

And so here I am
Left wondering
If there's anything
I can do

To contain
All this emotion
As both contempt and love
Cloud my view

© JL Smith

Pieces of the heart:
Right and left atrium
A set of ventricles
Separated by a septum
The aorta and blood vessels, too
Working together
Pumping life through this body,
But every day
I give bits of it away
As appreciation,
As an "I love you."

© JL Smith

I remember--
I must've been a little younger than five
The first time I learned of letting go
Peeking around my mom's recliner
Staring tearfully at the screen
Dorothy said goodbye to the Scarecrow

We formed a friendship, an unlikely pair
Me poking fun at your lack of brains
You encouraging me as I followed a dream
Down my winding, yellow-brick lane

You were there for me first
Seeing me through every storm
Communicating in the darkest of nights
As I hid fearfully from a tornado that formed

A journey full of memories
A bond strengthened through time
I've always found you most intelligent
And whether I stay or go--
I'll remember there's no place like home
When your love is mine

© JL Smith

I invited you to dinner
Seated ourselves at a table for two
I glanced around the room
Summoning the courage to confront you

I've known you for too long
And I know you all too well
When times get hard and I need help
You step in, casting me under your spell

Others may ask if I'm all right
Extending a look or touch of sincerity
That's when I'm reminded of your voice
So I state, "I'm fine"--
Your infamous words of transparency

I know how you envy my vulnerability
Attempting to brainwash my nature,
But I've grown tired of your ego
And your effort to control my behavior

So, listen closely as I conclude these words
I'm accepting it's OK to admit I'm not
And I'm worthy of love
Tonight, dear Pride, I apologize,
But I'm breaking up with you on the spot

© JL Smith

I reached a crossroad
My integrity tested
I chose traveling justly
Knowing the path may grow ugly

I gritted my teeth,
Yet carried of firmly
And soon you approached
Armed to provoke me

But I stood my ground
As you crept closely
Ready to retaliate
An adversary, ignorant of my faith

Your attempt to attack
Will fall short in our midst
For an army stands behind me
Pledging allegiance as goodness persists

© JL Smith

You may see something in me
That's captivated your heart,
But don't attempt to mold me
Into something you're desiring I'm not

I don't long for a sculptor
Instead, a friend I can trust
I'm complete on my own
And believe in Love unrushed

I'm unabashedly me
Proud of the stories I've lived
For I molded myself through heartache and laughter
And the love I continually give

I won't judge your honesty
I'm magnetized by authenticity
Our pasts shape our present
Autobiographies lacking simplicity

So, tell me your story
I'll stay awake with the stars
Share what has shaped your heart
Individual pasts may form a shared future that's ours

© JL Smith

Let me remind you,
a nomad's observing--
You question your path,
as it becomes increasingly swerving
The pack's grown heavy,
but you must advance
For when you lease expect it,
your actions influence those
who have reached an impasse

© JL Smith

Though the SUN chose to sleep
I awoke
With your, "Good morning"
I felt its absent warmth

© JL Smith

I see you hurting
And fear there's not much I can do
The truth sometimes shatters hope,
But I promise, a little goodness remains, too

Maybe in time you'll see
You never truly lost what you need
At times, what you want
Isn't what's best, but misleads

Though if you wish to kick and scream
Shout to the Heavens on your knees
Cry in a corner or curse freely
I'll stand by--now and always--caring deeply

© JL Smith

One of these nights
As I gaze upon the Texas sky
I'll lasso the moon
And hail a ride
Among a shooting star
A flash of light
Dark's brightest story
My meteoric flight

© JL Smith

It's frightening
The way your words
Control my breathing
The power behind
Their meaning

Deep breath
Ache in my chest
Released slowly
Vulnerability professed

Your critique, my crutch
Speech impersonating touch
Promises recast
Within my mind, steadfast

Forfeited resistance
Ears attuned to your voice

Heavy breathing
Rapid beating
Words imprinted
On the walls
As our hearts rejoice

© JL Smith

Stroll into my life
Conveniently a critic
Choosing when and where
To enter my story
Pessimistic cynic

The mask you wear
May hypnotize
Attracting followers
Here and there
I'm not deceived,
But wise beyond my years

Project onto me
Anger and jealousy
I'm constructed
To comprehend;
What you portray
Deflects your fear
As loneliness sinks in

Defining your disease
Is simple
A hypocrite,
You pretend
I offer my hand,
A genuine token
Yet your pride
Is in command

© JL Smith

And her eyes shared a story
Her lips never would
Hazel glistening like glass
Just as fragile
Exposing her past

© JL Smith

I remember how I wrote for you
Rhyme after rhyme
How you pretended to love them--
My words, every time

I remember how you said you read them
But I soon realized you lied
Eyes devoted to your electronic screens
As my stories laid beside

I remember how I valued your opinion
Any emotion my words may evoke
You knew they came from deep inside me
Yet, you lacked the depth for them to soak

I remember how you asked for help
When you needed something written
As you sat beside me demanding
I pick up my pace, write quicker

I remember when you scolded me
Exclaimed I couldn't write
You knew how much it meant to me
How writing is my life

But now I've learned my lesson
And I'll remember it for years to come
I don't write for you, but for me instead
You weren't worthy and no longer will I succumb

© JL Smith

This is for those of you who
Sit with me in silence

Or for those of you who
See within me the courage of a lion

This is for those loved ones who
Feel pride observing my journey

And for those of you who
Extend a hand when my waters turn murky

This is for your loyalty
After everyone walks away

Or for your persistence
When I push, but you choose to stay

This is for those of you who
Lift my spirit and inspire laughter

And for those who
Answer my questions before I can ask them

I'm grateful for these moments
And your acceptance that I'm human

Yet, somehow you still believe I'm super
Maybe these boots and cape aren't an illusion

© JL Smith

Promises roll swiftly
Off sultry lips
Kiss me, you demand
And my tongue begins to dance

© JL Smith

And I wonder
If we feared saying those three words
A little less
Would our precious world reside
In its current state of distress?

© JL Smith

It's not that
I'm playing
Hard to get
I just wasn't made
To be kept

© JL Smith

I used to think the pinnacle of elation
Derived from you so wittingly
Conjuring my laugh,
But I must attest,
The sincerest bliss occurs
After I induce the same--
Witnessing your face illuminate
Is a gift unwrapped

© JL Smith

Stop, dear girl
Savor this moment
The world spins fast enough
Don't forget the present
Before it's stolen

© JL Smith

You won't impress me
With your Bentley
I'm just as beautiful
Driving my 17-year-old Camry
Shades on
Windows rolled down
Radio turned up
My spirit radiates
Across town

© JL Smith

So many ask,
"How are you?"
Without intention of
Listening as a friend
But I ask,
"Will you sit beside me?"
As you share how
Your story began

© JL Smith

I often wonder
If your thoughts wander
Along the boulevard
Of what could be
Leading out of the urban
And into the rural fields of gold
With me

© JL Smith

How could a smile
So radiant
Write from a place
Of such pain?

This question
You asked me
As you walked
The surface
Without digging
The terrain

For my roots
Have traveled deeply
Around rock--
Through dirt and clay,
But my limbs
Bear fruit of beauty
After the rain
Has washed away

© JL Smith

There's a part of me
Who wants to love the hell out of you,
But there's a piece of me
That lacks the trust to believe
You won't leave me
Dancing with the devil

© JL Smith

Tears drop
Leaky faucet
Face buried
Behind hands

Repressed anger
Exploding rocket
Fists clenched
Gasping air

Anesthesia fading
Comfort counterfeit
Heart throbbing
To LIVE

© JL Smith

I'd always choose
To let you sleep,
But just this once
I'll stir you from dreams
To whisper in your ear,
"I believe in your vision
After these stars disappear,
The sun rises for you
To chase your ambition"

© JL Smith