The family sits around the table,
freeze-frame their laughing faces.
Everyone is thankful for something.
The eldest daughter, Marie
is thankful for not having any bruises to hide,
this time.
Her mother, Anne,
is thankful that her husband hasnt found out,
about the seven men she's been sleeping with.
Her husband, Marcus,
is thankful for the gun he bought yesterday
to take care of the men his wife thinks he doesnt know about.
His son, Jason,
is thankful that his 'good Christian' parents
dont know that he finds men attractive.
And his little sister, Katie,
is thankful for her happy family
and that no one can see the cuts she's made
on her legs.

I thank you
For all the things you gave me

For the love
The life
The World that you showed me

I thank you
and all that you are
and ever will be

I thank you
with all of my spirit.

I thank you.

There I stood atop the first
I thought I'd reached the end of worst
But in my joy a mountain rose
I saw it in the distance, then close
This one was tall, the tallest yet
Its rocky pillars gleaming wet
The snow atop its peak so glittered
Roaming about, large cats, a litter
This mountain was so beautiful
So rugged and so powerful
I knew right then I had to climb it
And leave this sweet mountain far behind it
I felt the grass between my toes
But how far would I have to go?
I saw the mountain, I saw its worth
But I had yet to see its worst
I glanced around but one last time
Then began the descent, not the climb
I felt the mountain rumble beneath
I heard it mumble, speak to me
Ignoring it, I forced down tears
And began a descent that lasted years
Or maybe weeks, I couldn't tell
But I knew I wasn't doing well
The tears would flow before I knew it
I felt great pain, I thought I was dying
But then I finally reached the bottom
And I could hear the mountain crying

The beauty lies in a single flower.
In the stars that awaken at night.
The beauty lies in the raw power
Of a bird taking flight.

How I long to behold that beauty,
To grasp it close and tight.
To feel its warmth and let it truly
Overcome my might.

I will watch as time goes by
And the life inside me dies,
I will smile as I watch the sky.
Beauty never says goodbye.