when the rainy day comes along,
she can become more POWERFUL--
the greatest goal towards which humankind could strive.

the prairie led to a clearing where
a tree
ought to be enough to brush away the smoke

the spring by the clearing
had to kick the fire out before dark
it was risky

five months
it had gone on

looking for smoke
through the flat woods.

Shells coming and going,
Locked in to movement of the waves,
Crushed by the magnitude of their strength

They float in and out of beaches,
Leaving their mark on passersby,
Only to be forgotten with the next wave of treasures

They long to be found,
Crave to be picked up,
Ache to tell their story

Until at last, they're swept out to sea,
To the next beach which it will call home,
And into the life of another who will see its beauty.

They don't long to be found, don't wish to be heard, don't ask for attention

They hope to spark a thought, evoke a joyful emotion, leave an imprint on a wondering mind

Which can forever be locked in a memory jar, entitled

*"For Keeps"

Feelings and emotions course through me like the cold tears run down my face

My breaths come short and forced as my heart burns with despair

"Do they secretly distrust me?" I cry into the night, for I had truly believed that I had changed for the better

"They must, for why else would they do such a thing as this?"

The darkness absorbs me, surrounds me, and I weep until I weep no more.

Put a face in firelight,
And laugh as the embers float to the stars,
And every concern will fade into the smoke.

His body was warm,
His heart still beating,
But without her, he was brain-dead.

Dusk broke through the nighttime sky, filling it with fire and bright light as the distant sun peaked over the horizon.

It was a quiet warning, I knew. Although my mind did not want to admit it.

But I took the hint, and slowly the fire of the sky dripped into cold drops and came cascading to the ground over my shattered heart.

Even the sky could not pretend to stand strong as the heart inside my chest continued to crack with every given moment.

The rain ended, and I knew it was over.

Billowing clouds encircled and surrounded me, attempting to form a safety net from the rest of the world.

The clouds parted and the sky cleared into a majestic array of vibrant colors. The broken pieces of my heart, now scattered across the ground, were lifted up and slowly pieced together, although the cracks within remained visible to the eye.

It would be a process, I knew, and maybe I did not want the cracks to completely heal, but I did want to feel whole.

And I will, with Him, and with time.

She was a prisoner,
Trapped in the shadows of the night,
Caged in the gloom of the world.

She sang songs of heart throbbing emotion,
And played melodies of continuous tragedies.

She wrapped herself in life's desolation
And felt the pull of never ending stress weighing her down.

But she stood under the relentless pressure,
And never wavered.

She heard tunes of everlasting joy and peace,
And never strayed.

She found her way through the darkness,
And never doubted.

A girl once born in clouded adversity,
Now blossomed in ceaseless exultation.

Graceful petite creatures floating up high,
Fluttering and rippling,
Carelessly soaring on by

Strange little feelings bottled up inside,
Shivering and quivering,
Searching for some way to fly.

Because it hurts to think of you and talk to you
Being thousands of miles apart

Yet I attempt to cling to you and support you
Yearning to bridge the gap between us

Everyone told me to let go, leave you behind
But I don’t want to end the feelings that linger inside

In the blank of his stare and dullness of his kiss,
She found her soul trapped in routine,
Fighting to be set free.

She strolled down a winding pathway, admiring the brightly colored roses, listening to the loud chirping of the birds

As she walked,she hummed a tune of joy and followed the path marking on a map, just to reassure herself that she was heading in the right direction

Around a turn o the left she went, then back to the right, as her pace sped with every step

But then the beautiful path that she'd been following for so long fell into a babbling creek, only to continue on the other side

Had she, excited for her long journey, mistaked this path with the one she wished to take?

"No," she decided, for she checked the path a million times before beginning, and she was positive she had journeyed on the correct one

Should she give up on her journey, only to turn around and go home?

"No," she told herself, for how could she live with herself of she gave up on her dream?

But how will she, small and dainty, cross the sputtering creek that lays before her?

She gazed at the creek in front of her, considering walking alongside it until she reached a spot where she could walk across

"No," she determined, for there was no way of knowing whether there'd be a break in the flood of water, and even if there was, she'd be lost in the forest, continuously searching for the path

She glanced from left to right, searching for something to aid her in crossing the creek

To the left of the path, she noticed flat stones, the exact size of her foot

"Yes!' she exclaimed, as she sets them in the creek and skipped across them

She was back on her way, strolling down the pathway, headed towards her dreams.

The world is such a lonesome place, filled with shades of black and white, filled with catastrophe and despair

Challenges do not always get easier, criticism does not always get quieter, people do not always get nicer

But in these moments of sadness, gloominess, and adversity
Look inside yourself and find courage

Make your challenges into stepping stones, take the criticism with a grain of salt, forget about those who do not treat you right

For in the end, all that matters is who you are, and if you like who you have become.

He is a bystander, following you along your path, observing your every turn, waiting to swoop in at any given moment

He is as the mist at dusk, encircling then dispersing, constantly changing his notions

He unveils himself from time to time, dropping mixed emotions over those who see him, having the power to pull people together or rip them apart

Should we fear and ridicule him, for all he brings is darkness and despair?

No, for he is our caretaker, our guardian angel, our friend

Since he travels in darkness, the sparkling brilliance of light floods our lives, surrounding us with positivity and enchantment

He teaches us how to love endlessly, forgive ceaselessly, and live gratefully.

I walk alone,
Turning aimlessly left and right,
Feeling the cold from the rain seep through to my dismal heart.

Hot tears stream down my grief stricken face,
Contorting in and out of melancholy shapes,
Allowing my pitiful sobs to seep out.

My chest is tight with my broken heart,
Burning with every shaky breathe taken,
Surprisingly resisting the urge to cave in all together.

The world is bland,
Every color seems to have faded to shades of black and grey,
Doleful rain falling aimlessly to the ground.

Cheerful people sing in the rain,
Dance through the streets,
Jump in the forming puddles.

But me?

I walk on,
Sensing the cold swishing of my feet in my soaking shoes,
Craving to be unnoticed and left with my dismal heart.

Greased with shades of black, green, and brown,
Furrowing eyebrows with developing beads of sweat rolling down,
Curving lips resembling only the slightest frown,
My father's face is alive and alert

Calming eyes looking towards the ground,
Closed lips not even whispering a sound,
A perfect example to those all around,
My father's face is reverent

Squinting eyes seemingly glowing red,
Thoughts more visible outside the head,
Alarming looks whispering, "You're dead,"
My father's face is about to explode

Smiling eyes holding memories from over the years,
Talking lips to help guide away from fears,
Caring eyebrows making the worries disappear,
My father's face is tender and caring

Sparkling eyes that glint with moving cheek,
Infectious laughter making others squeak,
Radiant smile seeming nothing short of unique,
My father's face is the happiest face of all.

Leave you picking petals off of flowers,
Like a hopeful young ******* a summers day,
Wondering,
*"You love me. You love me not."

She is a warm gentle sunflower, whose roots have dug deep, whose stem never wavers.

She looks up to the sun, admiring the bright glorious rays shining down upon her

She feels freedom blowing through her like the wind and feels life pour into her like the rain.

She marvels at the brilliance of the sunset and admires the warm glow it brings to the world.

But silently she cries in the night, for what would she have without the sunlight?

Then she simply looks up to the gleaming luminousness of the stars, and knows she's not alone.

Are written just like mine and yours,
Appealing to emotions,
Making every feeling soar

They give the eyes a piece of art,
Majestic and unique,
Relaxing to the heart

They fill noses with calming scents,
Completely clean and pure,
Laced with seasonal hints

They feel like the wind and the grass,
Dew filled and billowing,
Gliding over bodies

They sound like the birds at daybreak,
Chirping and chattering,
With no cares in the world

They turn stressed faces into smiles,
Awe filled and peaceful,
Grateful for the gift.

As I looked down, the cobblestone was alive,
Dancing to the music of a live band,
Walking with wandering tourists,
Laughing with children eating ice cream cones

And there I was, watching silently,
Apart from the soul,
Yet beating right along with the heart.

He is a beacon of light amidst the darkness,
Whose brightness scatters the night,
Whose rays carry light to every corner of the earth.

He is the hopeful joy among the sorrow,
Whose smile lifts any face,
Whose spirit gives hope for a new day.

He is the music echoing through the silence,
Whose sound clings to every ear,
Whose rhythm will never be forgotten.

He is the simple inspiration whispered into ears,
Whose glad tidings create a picture for a brighter day,
Whose hope brings perseverance.

How could he, filled with inspiration, emanating kindness, fail to notice his worth?

Then all at once, he looks up, surveying the sparkling sky,
hearing the robin's tune,
admiring the smiles on faces passing by,
and knows that his impact on the world is interminable.

A sunny spot in the clearing beckons me,
Pulls me into its warm embrace,
And finally for a moment--
I feel at home

And time slows to a halt,
Until every detail feels tranquil,
Silence rushes over me--
I feel serene

And the earthy grass ******* sways between my toes,
Filling my nose with fresh scents,
Freedom fills my lungs--
I feel rejuvenated

And I stand, slowly walking away,
Glancing over my shoulder,
Barely catching the majestic rays peaking out over the mountains,
And for a split second,
I feel free.

When the grey clouds roll in,
And the skies cannot stop crying,
I'll be there to hold the umbrella up high

When the mountains swim in peaceful white snow,
And flurries float down from above,
I'll be there with a blanket for warmth

When the flowers wilt in the summers heat,
And life itself longs to cease,
I'll be there to offer the water

For when the world is gloomy, dark, and dreary,
And I am at the lowest of the low,
I know you'll be there for me

When all is said and done,
And the darkness has finally ceased,
We'll be there rejoicing in heaven together.

It's a top down
Doors off
Wind rushin
Music bumpin
People laughin
Crazy drivin
Sun in the sky
Feelin high
Best friends
Grabbin hands
Kind of day.

Do you see me, staring, holding my heart in my outstretched hands?

Do you hear me, whispering, voicing my feelings into your covered ears?

Do you feel me, grazing, brushing my fingertips across your fist?

Do you realize that I'm falling, whirling, tumbling head over heals, or are you immune to love's blindness?

White enwraped beauty
Family gathers around
Love fills the fresh air

She starts every morning with light,
Painting the sky with pastel hues,
Spreading excitement for the unknown of a brand new day

She disperses her rays over plants,
Offering a warm welcome,
Stretching out her rays as if to aid them in their growth

She slowly slips behind a dark cloud,
Which makes the world cry,
Longing for her warmth and love to caress it once more

But she reappears once again,
Expelling her fire light across all creation,
Making faces and petals alike smile towards her magic.

The richest man may offer all his jewels,
The strongest man may threaten all his brute,
The most powerful man may call all his horses and all his men,

Yet no one, and absolutely nothing, can take you away from me.

I long to live my life in a way that makes people think.

I crave to soar high in the sky,
While having depths that match the sea.

I want to be kind, caring, loving,
Which is often somewhat rare,

But I want to be strong and courageous,
Never stepping down from the square.

At the end of the day, I guess all I can say,

I want to live my best life,
And help to ease the sting of another’s’ knife.

She felt lost and alone, longing to feel needed, craving to be loved

She watched as love birds came and went, each with their twinkling eyes, all wearing wide grins

Why was she, lovely and kind, so eager to find her knight in shining armor?

Because, she decided, it was how one felt notable in this merciless world.

Oh the fun we had as little six year olds,
Laughing loudly and acting crazy,
Staying up till the wee hours laying on the floor watching Hairspray

Oh the hyper times we had as ten year olds,
Sipping a little too much caffeine,
Running around acting like animals in the front yard

Oh the crazy times we had as twelve year olds,
Not afraid to get down and *****,
Camping and sliding down dirt in the ravine

Oh the terrifying times we had as fourteen year olds,
Living together for a whole week,
Trying to **** each other with words shortly after

Oh the bonding times we had as fifteen year olds,
The darkest time in my life,
Where we cried and I knew we would always be friends

Oh the lively times we had as sixteen year olds,
Both getting our licenses,
Driving around everywhere just to take fun pictures

Oh the tiresome times we had as seventeen year olds,
Sitting in your car before school,
Ranting and laughing about every aspect of life

Oh the amazing times yet to come,
Attending college and growing older,
Still talking and ranting and laughing like every time before.

There's something about the ever-moving sea,
Whose shimmering waves brighten every face,
Whose calming sounds bring joy to every ear that hears

There's something about the forever changing beach,
Whose soft sand holds treasures from the deep blue,
Whose sparkling granules clump together to create vast castles

There's something about the ongoing sky,
Whose blue tints are home to the warm, shining sun,
Whose colors magnify themselves onto the gorgeous sea

So look upon this picture and smile,
Because each figure is a piece of a puzzle,
Forming a complex but brilliant masterpiece.

Bare feet hit the ground as water cascades from the ominous grey clouds that fill the sky

I feel the gentle gusts of wind and light sting of rain against my cheek,
it is in this moment that I awaken from the sleepy trance I was caught in

My nose is filled with the dewy mist that mixes with the air that makes it feel thick

I look about, and see nothing but grass and leaf-filled trees dancing

In the next moment, I realize that I dance too,
Spinning with my arms fully extended,
Feet splashing in the pooling fresh water

A smile extends across my face—
I am free.

Trees team up to block her,
Attempting to soak up all her marigold rays,
Swaying in her light,
Jealous of the way she shone;
Yet grateful for the warmth.

Morning dew clings to blades of waving grass,
The minuscule beads glimmer in the rays of sunlight as they peak over the horizon,
I can see it

Sidewalk pieces jet this way and that,
The asphalt adhering to the tree root beckoning it to move,
I can see it

Tiny lights twinkle in a distant town,
The hustle and bustle of a world that is never quite put to rest,
I can see it

It is all so clear,
Yet my eyes are closed.

Two strangers brought together
Like the unrelenting pull of the moon on the ever moving tide,
Like the revolving planets circling the gigantic sun,
Like the intense pull of gravity on the miniscule drops of silvery rain.

As they wander though the glorious world,
They feel a mysterious magnetic pull drawing them together
And they know they'll never be alone.

They continue their journey through vast valleys and over tall mountains,
Through strong winds and deep waters.

As one slips, the other draws them up,
As one slows, the other offers them aide,
As one falls, the other carries.

What would they be
if the gleaming stars had never aligned,
if their paths hadn't crossed,
if an unknown force hadn't brought them together?

But they look to the stars,
Which are in perfect formation,
And they journey on
Using the constellations as a guide,
To a home where they can dwell for eternity.

Her eyes were glued to a sky full of stars,
But she was dreaming of something bigger than Mars

Somehow the constellations would just realign,
Opening up a portal to all space and time

Distant galaxies sang, danced and laughed all night,
Persuading her to stay and relax ‘til light

The dawn would come much to her dismay,
But then the sun rose, showing her a new way

The light glistened with every step taken,
And her whole being somehow felt more awaken

Mountains climbed high and streams ran fast,
Making her wish this moment would last

Colors frolicked and pranced across the distant sky,
Giving her beauty of which to testify

But soon dusk would come, and she welcomed it grinning,
For she knew these dazzling sights were just the beginning.

He** is there for you, He will always win, He will help you, He will stop the spin

He is our brother, He is always caring, He will comfort you, His love is always sharing

Though times are dark, and life seems weary, through His never-ending tenderness, we will be cheery.

She stands at a cross roads, looking from left to right, trying to decide which path to take

She turns to the left, where she sees a dark and dismal sky, where the path breaks up into tiny shards of gravel

She then turns to the right, where she sees a pleasant blue sky marked with wispy white clouds, where the path transforms into even blocks of cobblestone

Could she, struck with life's hardships, caught in life's desolation, choose the path which will lead her home?

Her eyes drift to and fro, summing up both paths, attempting to decide on just one

Should she choose a path of dark or light, tragedy or happiness, cloudiness or sunshine?

Her mind confused, she kneels on the ground, folds her arms, and sends a message from her heart to the One who will guide her home.

Sleepily and lazily, he makes his way out of the hole that has sheltered him from the cold

As he looks both left and right, does he long to see his shadow, which will send him away into slumber for a little while longer, or does he prefer to lounge in the shade of the day?

To him, the decision will take only but a moment

To reporters, onlookers, and bystanders, only the moment can tell.

We are beacons of light,
Whose beams radiate joy to all those who see,
Whose rays give hope for a bright new day.

We are the stars in the night,
Whose gleaming sparks light up the dark sky,
Whose glint yearns to fulfill a wish of a longing heart.

So continue sharing your light with others,
For you never imagine how your glorious streak of light could impact another in this never ending world of darkness.

She woke up and looked across the frozen landscape,
Surveying the shimmering white ground,
Admiring the twinkling trees moving in the slight breeze

The others were already preparing for the adventure at hand,
Combing through their rough brown hair with their tongues,
Sharpening their strong antlers on nearby trees

She stood and ran to catch up,
Longing for a sense of freedom,
Eager to journey with her herd

She gracefully pranced over snow capped hills and through blanketed valleys,
Only to arrive on a frozen river bed,
Which her herd had already elegantly crossed

One hoof stepped onto the glistening ice,
All seemed well

She placed her second hoof so delicately onto the ice,
And she thought she flew

All at once her hooves shot in different directions,
Flailing to the left and contorting to the right,
Sending her soaring across the ice and into the snow bank on the other side

Dizzily she climbed out of the snow and looked around,
Feeling frightened and lost,
As her herd was nowhere in sight

The snow behind her crunched and she jumped,
Alarmed of what danger could be there,
Fearful of unknown threats while she was completely alone

She ran on through the silver canopy high above,
Attempting to focus on the radiant colors of the sunset,
But getting lost in daunting thoughts of being alone

All of the sudden, she heard the scraping of antlers in the distance,
And the snorting sounds of her herd filled her ears

Her heart filled with joy,
As she ran with all her might toward the noise,
Overjoyed with having found her family once more

She was welcomed back with joyful snorts from all,
Smiling to herself as she laid down,
Resting up for the next day of journeying through the winter kissed landscape.

Sitting out on the fresh green grass awakens something inside me.

The dampness of the ground slowly seeping through my blue jeans, the fresh aroma telling me that although the grass was freshly cut, it lives, breathes, and grows

Around me are ancient buildings, housing thousands of students, whose minds are alive—or, to be honest, are most likely half asleep

The mountains stand softly in the background, somehow still partially snow capped.
They form a security blanket, sad when we leave, but welcoming as we come back

And the sky—the brilliant blue majesty above—somehow envelopes all of this, as if it somehow knows each one of us

It holds the billowing white clouds that shape shift into almost anything my vagabond heart desires

The birds flying high in the sky talk with a sort of excitement, and fly away in a hurry

There is a hustle and bustle—people talking, airplanes flying, cars driving—that remind me I’m not alone

And you know what I taste?

Freedom
The freedom that allows me to be whatever and whoever I want to be.
It beckons me to explore every land and swim in every sea.
It shows me who I truly love and who I desire to become

This magical place—has allowed me to find me.

There are days where the sun grazes over the horizon
Flooding rays across the land
But somehow still seem somewhat bland

There are days where colors spew across a page
Expelling even the most vibrant hues
But somehow still fill me with the blues

There are days where the mind feels open to all space and time
Pouring out thoughts that are spirit infused
But somehow still leave me feeling confused

Yet,

There are days where light comes seeping in
Overwhelming all other senses
That completely soothes and cleanses

There are days where color is found all around
Exploding into sight and emotion
That help to make sense of all the commotion

There are days where my soul feels enlightened
Erupting with feelings only coming from God
That show me the exact path on which to trod.

The robin wakes to magnificent streaks of color across the sky,
But was too busy hunting worms to notice what was up high

She flies through emerald trees dancing in the slight breeze,
But dismissed it as nothing different than what she normally sees

She tends to her vibrant blue eggs as they get ready to hatch,
But fails to notice the importance of the batch

She sinks into the nest in the moonlight, just shutting her eyes,
But wait, what is way up in the sky?

Why, it is a shooting star, glistening and shimmering high above,
She smiles and is suddenly overwhelmed with God's love

In that moment, she realized that life had a meaning,
It was so much more than the hunting, working and cleaning,

It was meant to teach slowly through every new opportunity,
Until one day she and God will have complete unity.

She looks up,
Tears swelling in her eyes,
And looks into his,
Searching for a reason to hold out hope

She delays just a moment-
Waiting for a sign,
A wavering tear,
A slight gesture,
One word to make her worries disappear

She's hoping he will fight for her,
Dang it.

But instead, she walks away,
Stronger than ever,
Cradling a broken heart.

I'm lost in the never ending pit of my own confusion
Swaying left to right
Held up only by the wind blowing me to and fro

If only my feelings could make their opinion known,
But they long to remain hidden among the whispers of the swirling breeze

I attempt to stand
Only to be knocked back to the dust
Which leaves me dizzy and disoriented

If only the whirling tempest would cease to throw its fiery darts,
But they fail to notice me calling for a ceasefire

So I am left, lost and astray, on the cold ground,
While the gusts continue to becloud the world around me.

This mother of mine is a brilliant ray of light,
Who illuminates even the darkest night,
Who brightens every lonely face,
With a silent, sincere, and sweet embrace

This mother of mine can take the heat,
When she's faced with a problem, she doesn't skip a beat,
We may talk back and make a fuss,
But she still shows her love towards us

This mother of mine admires the trees that grow tall,
She likes how they waver, but never fall,
They wave back and forth and emanate peace,
And show her that God's love for us will never cease

This mother of mine is the strongest woman of all,
For my life without her would surely crumble and fall,
She has taught me how to pick myself off the ground,
I am truly grateful to have my mother around.

The world swirls around, constantly moving in never ending circles of emotion

Sadness and sympathy surround me as I watch friends struggle up mountains and through jungles

Hope runs through my veins as I watch from afar, wishing for them that the pain and hardships would end

Suddenly I'm turning, spinning, whirling, falling as I get dizzy and disoriented

When I come to, I'm enveloped in lies and dishonesty as I watch loved ones fall farther and farther down a hole they don't realize their digging

Forgiveness overwhelms me as I slowly watch them sink, longing to run over and help pull them out

Again I'm reeling, spiraling, twirling, collapsing onto the cold ground

I fearfully raise my head, for who knows what I'll encounter next?

As I slowly stand, I'm encircled with charity and love as I watch my loved ones laugh and smile with one another

Amity fills my heart as I run to them, appreciating every moment I can share with them

Encountering hardships and struggles are inevitable, but we build each other, shape each other, and comfort each other through all emotions.