I used to live in paradise—a long,
low ranch house,
sheltered by the tangle of cottonwood trees
that lined the creek. But as with every Eden
We believed in the magic of that world down in the creek,
where the greenbrier curled
around trees and scratched
our legs and the water oak tipped lazily
over the stream as if in a constant half-state
between dreaming and awake.
We believed so fervently,
so completely,
that the trash tossed down
from the nearby overpass
became heavenly gifts—oil cans,
garbage bags,
tires,
empty cups,
all hidden among the scrubby willow oak.
We collected them like greedy misers.
pieces of glass in a discarded Ziploc bag,
and they shone so brightly
that we believed them
to be tiny pieces of falling star.
And in our desperate belief,
we made our paradise.

At nine I took piano lessons,
my invitation to sit at the bench
rather than observing, coming after
what felt like forever.
I was giddy, finally able to become
the pianist I knew was locked inside.
My small hands. Each time
I clambered onto the bench
that was too large, swung my legs,
and tried to force my small hands
into awkward positions,
I imagined that soon
my mom would sit beside me,
tell me I was doing a wonderful job,
Time wore on.
I practiced,
faithfully,
but my fingers and mind resisted.
I found myself starting out the window
day dreaming of climbing trees,
riding my bike,
floating sticks in an irrigation ditch.
From the kitchen my mom called out my mistakes.
“That should be a flat. Try again.”
What held promise soon became a chore.
“Nope not right that time either.
Go slower.
Practice just that part.
Just those two notes.
Do you want me to show you?”
Both my frustration and failures increased.
I had failed.
I could not force musical talent on myself,
could not be the daughter
they had hoped for and believed in.
My mom would be the only piano player in the house;
I would remain an observer.
I tried taking lessons again,
this time in secret.
I hoped by playing the piano
I would prove myself worthy of being her daughter.
I planned to practice in secret
until shortly before
I would leave for college,
then play a concert for my mom.
I imagined her listening,
being moved and rushing to me in love,
telling me how proud she was.
Music pulled me deep into the sound,
offered me a place where
I could disappear and
I wouldn’t be found until I wanted to be.
I held the pedal down again,
enjoying the way the music embraced me.

Learned in the hardest way
from wounds that we didn't pray

Things that we regret
and surely will never forget

At times, we have fall
and every time we stand tall

Every day, a battle we have fought
in a battlefield, we have thought

Things that we regret
and surely will never forget

Every day we face
different struggles in life

Raise your hands up, and shout aloud
tomorrow you wake up and stand proud

Every day we cry tears
for different reasons

Put your head up, and keep the fight
we can kneel, but keep them tight

Look up the sky to face another battle
in a field of life, we can never be baffle

Shout aloud, and cry harder
let the teardrops be your reward as a winner

We will win and we will lose
but it's a fight that we choose

No matter what happened,
take it as learning,

And tomorrow in another
round for us to have a chance of winning.

Dad your guiding hand
Will be on my shoulder
Duty, decency, reliability,
Honor, dignity, respect:
These are all qualities
That my father not
Only held in high esteem,
But practiced
Every day
During his
Time on
His earth.

For years, I have lived with such anger,
I see no future in sunrise;
I see no hope for green
I store at the endless horizon
With my sorrows gnaw at my soul
The pain of addiction gnawing at my veins
and my slow decline
Lifeless, store in to the dark horizon
Awaiting death, the inevitable
Bound by the chains of prejudice
in solitude, castle of regret build.
Was once touched by the ray of hope
Lighting those rusted lamps of joy
Lifting me from dungeons of doom
Only to the lift at the epoch
Grief, I hold thee close
For thou, my only companion
I see no future in sunrise
I see no hope for green
I store at the endless horizon
slowly eating me from inside
Until death appears as a happy welcome...!
But to blame anyone for my rage is unjust.
No one is responsible for my fury,
Though I may think so, my eyesight is simply blurry
Anger is seeking a new slave;
As for me, I’d rather be brave,
Before anger puts me deep down in a grave.

Let me unfold the mystery and feel the pulse of nature;
We must protect it, for society to thrive.
I want to hear the sound of waterfall and poetry of birds;
Creates oxygen, that we all consume,
I want to smell the flowers and puddle in the mud.

Let me go to the meadows and romance with the nature;
Beauty of nature, we all love to see,
From tiny insect to exotic tree.
I want to sleep on the green bed and watch the blue dreamy sky;
I want to cross the dessert and drink from the ocean.

Our environment, keeps us alive,
We must combat, deforestation,
It is the duty of every single nation.
So much life and diversity,
You can learn more,

Climate change, we need to control,
Think together, to find a solution.
We must remember, to respect and cherish,
If we don't, nature shall perish.