there once was a lonely, bored girl
who did nothing but dream about the world
things she would be
places she would go
only after she grew up, you see
she waited for this day
she searched high and low
if you hope for it, it will happen, they say
so she hoped and hoped and hoped it would show

there is beauty in the breakdown
and love in the breakup
with legs over shoulders
and reflections in the mirror

The tree with leaves of fire
Stood in the centre of town
Our feet sunk into the muck and mire
We slowly sunk further down

The owl warned us with a shout
A snake with a benign hiss
We didn’t know what the fauna were on about
But this was one thing we could not miss

The moon floated in the sky of stars
Like a lost ship in the cold sea
We were brave like the settlers of Mars
Standing strong around the burning tree

One by one we began to sing
Quiet and then loud and proud
Grandma brought her sticks and string
And Grandpa watched from a silent cloud

Hand in hand we thought in voice
While the volcanic tree listened
We soldiered on: this wasn’t a choice
Our eyes were red and glistened

We confessed our wrongs
To the tree with leaves of fire
In somber sing-song
This must be done; we cannot afford to tire

Her eyes are chocolate brown
Her skin is porcelain white like snow
Her voice is smooth and silky
Her imperfections are perfect to me
Her personality is sweet like honey
But she doesn’t love me
She doesn’t even know me
It’s an unrequited love

live simply
feel intensely
love passionately
write dramatically

- p. winter

In summer clouds
My mind will dream
'Til white lips kiss
Earth's cheek of green.

In flowery dress
I'll twirl my hair
'Til sighs pirouette
Through chilly air.

In grasses tall
My footprints will grow
'Til their stories are
Erased by snow.

Until each flake
Begins its dive
In fire and fireflies
I'll thrive.

- p. winter