Julia

Julia Aug 2013

No. 1

"How do you like it?"
I glanced up to see
two dark eyes
watching me
expectantly.
"The book I mean --
sounds pretty dry
but I've been meaning
to read it for some time now."

"It's uh. . ."
I stuttered,
sipping my tea and trying
to string two intelligent thoughts together.
"It's not too bad,
but I've only just begun."
I smiled coyly and
revealed that I was only
in the second chapter.

He went on to tell me
of his studies at Duke,
and inquire after what
university I am attending.

There I was,
all dressed up and out
by myself, and it would have been
so easy,
simply divine,
to twist a story and take this
perfect stranger
on a trip.

But in the end of the day,
I'm no college student.
Just a high school senior
playing House
and writing poetry in coffee shops.

One of my favorite things to do is to spend an afternoon out in public, by myself, armed with a good book, hot tea, and my journal. Some of my favorite pieces have been discovered in places like that. This piece will (hopefully) be the first of a series of connected pieces inspired by afternoons spent in coffee shops "Sipping my tea and trying two string two intelligent thoughts together." I hope you like it. :)
P.S. The book that I referenced is "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" by Thomas C. Foster.

Julia Aug 2013

brown

the brown of my eyes has a story to tell:
a recollection of sorts, filled with
family vacations,
love, petty arguments and a
lust
for life and yet as i sit here
with my pen and a page
i'm left drowning in my thoughts --
overtaken by my internal current.

my eyes used to be much lighter,
but with each argument
2 a.m. stress cleaning session,
and panic attack,
a certain darkness took her place
******* the color and
will to live
from my brown eyes.

now as i stand,
looking through memories
like my favorite picture book,
my eyes have turned dull and
black.
i have nothing left to give.

"A certain darkness is needed to see the stars."
This is a bit dark and feels cliche, but it felt good to write it. Constructive criticism/comments appreciated! (:

Julia Aug 2013

Adventure

She had an explorer's intuition
and a head full of dreams
that would suffocate
in this one light town.

I'd seen it since the beginning

and had to suppress
my selfish urge
to clip her wings
and keep her here.

But even so,
as we said our goodbyes
my eyes filled with hot tears.

I'll miss you so much
My voice cracked audibly.

Don't worry, Love.
I'm only beginning a new adventure.
Turning a new leaf.
Starting a new chapter.

I'll be back before you know...

And with that she was gone.
I waited until her plane took off,
and thanked God that I knew her.

Julia Aug 2013

Falling in Slow Motion

It takes but a moment,
an instant
for my world
to come crumbling down.

But today feels different
since I've realized
that life isn't falling apart. . .

It's falling together.

Change is always scary. But lately I've been reminded it can be for the best if I learn to take a breath and a big step back.

Julia Jul 2013

May I ask you something?

My heart
skips
a beat
and my
fingertips
tingle
but my lips
manage
to whisper
"Do you want
to try again?"
With pleading eyes
I watch
your head spin,
while Love
and Logic dance.
Moments pass
without a sound,
but your wide eyes
answer my plea.
And just like that,
I can breathe.

Originally, this was written in past tense, but I felt it was more powerful in present. :-) Recent inspiration has put me in a writing mood again. (Yay!)
Let me know what you think!!

Julia Jun 2013

Ice

I fell into the deepest sleep
beneath last winter's ice.
All was lost around me
and my heartbeat slowed
almost to a stop.
But you were there,
sharing your warmth
to keep us both alive.
Spring came about
and thawed us out
left drowning in our thoughts.
But now you're gone.

Next winter will behold no savior,
But a new layer of ice.

Julia Jun 2013

Fray

He broke your heart.
Ripped it into a million pieces
And left me to piece you back together.
But not even I could fix you this time.
A few days later
I held out the matches
And watched as you burned
The fraying edges of your heart.
Aren't you proud, mom?
I saw your lips move
But was deafened by the screams
Of your dead lifeless eyes.

"I'm fine"
"You don't look fine"
"Then stop looking."
Fray
Verb
(of a fabric, rope, or cord) Unravel or become worn at the edge, typically through constant rubbing: "cheap fabric soon frays".