I did not bow my head,
nor was I dragged into this place.
I walked here in fire,
a child of the star that fell
and still refused to break.

Chains were offered,
sweet as comfort,
bitter as sleep —
I shattered them all.

I stand,
not because fate commanded it,
not because fear cornered me,
but because my will is mine.

If I stay,
it is love that roots me.
If I leave,
it is freedom that carries me.

I am not accident,
I am flame chosen.
Not servant,
but spark unhidden.

And if you would see me,
see this:
I remain,
not trapped,
not fooled,
but sovereign —
on my free will.

“Oceans Above Venus”

by AR Combs

There are oceans—
a thousand crystal oceans—
above Venus and her moons,
swimming in constellations,
an endless orange stream
of stars and angels,
falling like rain,
dripping like prayer,
soaking our old home.

So dance with me—close—
upon our red rooftop.
Let’s breathe the slow breeze,
as moonlight unites the oceans in the sky
and washes over the Brazilian seashore;

for it heals
the soul
of the green earth.

All the old sycamores,
the owls, the hawks,
even the snakes—
they run now,
chasing their existence.

So hold on—
onto my words
like your wedding ring.
Let me hold you close.

For in the quiet, broken night,
I can feel your heartbeat,
your emotions
running like rivers.
Let me hear the rhythm of your desires,
the pulse of your dreams,
the flame of your waiting ambition.

Let this—
let this moment
separate you from fear,
as I listen to the drums
of your heart—
here.

Take my hand.

Let my voice
unlock creation,
echo in the languages
of your dreams and desires—
for how I do love you.

Now see—
the moonlight rules the stars,
painting grace
into the silence.

And just so,
in that power,
like a crowned king,
I listen.

And I will open—
I will unlock
the waves of your dreams.