I'm not a person who collects things
I live a very minimalist's life
But I have a bag of treasures
I keep close to me day and night

I sleep on an old painted daybed
It squeaks softly as I lay down
Most of my clothes are second hand
And my shoes a little worn down

But I have some precious treasures
Hidden in bags of different names
Fendi, Burberry and Prada
Leathers and fabrics of worldly fame

My treasures are hidden deep inside
In makeup bags and zippered pockets
Shiny compacts full of velvety colors
From Paris, Milan and Rome

A black cloth bag of 8 tiny bottles
Protected from the sun and rain
Bottles of perfume oils made in an alchemist's lab
With names like Dragon's Milk, Snow White and Bliss

A Christian Dior handkerchief or two
Hangs delicately inside the bag
In case the breeze brings on a sneeze
Or I notice a tear in the eye of a friend

by Mark Lj

Obsession ~

Some of us go through life
And the scars of failures grow
Not feeling like we ever fit in
Until we can take it no more

We try so hard with all our might
Asking God for strength and deliverance
But in the end we loose this fight
And reach a time of decisions

A bell goes off in our heads one day
That starts the obsession to change
It fills our thoughts, our hearts, our minds
And we have no choice but to follow it

In the end we will find our authentic selves
Or we'll likely put a gun to our heads
There is no turning back
There's only do or die trying

If you aren't transgender you won't understand
How these things can be so life threatening
Until you hear that Bell one day
And your lives are turned upside down

by Lj

Sometimes we feel like it's time to give up.
There's really nothing more to say.
Words have no meaning,
when our spirit has been broken,
and there's no more strength to fight.
People will say,
things will get better, they always do.
But they don't always get better,
sometimes they get worse,
just ask Leelah Alcorn.

The world at times feels like a weapon.
A weapon designed to **** the free spirit,
crush anything different,
non conformity is the enemy,
and it must be hunted and destroyed.

But who makes those rules,
politicians, teachers or churches,
or is it as simple as parents,
too concerned with what neighbors will say.

Whatever the reasons, no matter the cause,
the results in the end are the same.
Another statistic to add to the list,
Another sweet soul lost.

by Lj 2016