If you’re reading this, you’re probably asking
Me to share some things about myself.
But before I answer, you should know this:
I hate this question more than life itself.

Now, how do I begin; where do I start?
I think I have forgotten who I am.
You see, I live an uneventful life,
So I’ll just exaggerate the best I can.

I have a desk job at a doctor’s office.
A foot clinic - to be exact.
Come in to see us if you’ve got a bone spur,
Or toenail fungus, or if your heels have
cracked.

Sometimes I can be funny, when I try.
But if you have to try, then you’re not funny..
How is it that I work 5 days a week
And still feel like I don’t have enough money?

I enjoy running, reading, writing poetry,
And going out for breakfast on days off.
I used to get embarrassed pretty easily,
But now I’ve learned to simply laugh things off.

That’s all I can come up with as of now.
By now, you’re probably sorry that you asked.
I wrote this poem to make myself feel interesting
And I thank you for helping with this task.

There lives an old lady that looks a bit shady
Who came to my house all alone.
One day she crept in - maybe I let her in?
I locked the front door, that's for sure.

She was awfully frail, and smelled a bit stale,
And she glared with disdain and complained.
She made me stay home so she wouldn't be alone
While she groaned at the ache in her bone.

The days dragged on but she wouldn't be gone
She's still here - as we speak - in my chair.
I could kick her out but she'd probably shout
You should hide if you're on her bad side.

I've tried "go away" but she's decided to stay
Taking over my life without strife.
I want to be free, but she lives inside me
You see, that old lady is me.

Moving on is like growing up.
You never really remember going through the process.
It just comes as a realization.

It's the cool autumn breeze that smells of earth and new beginnings.
It's that one country song that makes me feel nostalgic.
It's the ominous clouds and heavy air before a thunderstorm.
It's that moment of bittersweet emotion after reading the last word of a really good book.
It's watching the sun slant in through my bedroom window and create a mural on my wall.
It's rolling my windows down as we near the shore, and breathing in the salty air.
It's hearing my mom's contagious belly laugh.
It's that tired-happy feeling after a productive day.
It's when the Ferris wheel pauses and I'm at the very top, admiring the lighted world below.
It's the lump in my throat and tears in my eyes during a heartfelt prayer.
It's my niece wrapping her chubby little arms around my neck and putting her head on my shoulder.
It's laughing uncontrollably with my best friend at the grocery store, and not caring what people are thinking.
It's lying on the trampoline and watching the stars on a summer night.
It's the adrenaline running through my veins after a run.
It's listening to the sound of rain pounding on my window as I'm tucked under the covers.

It's the little things that impact me in the biggest way.

The train has departed.
I’m in an unfamiliar town.
Unfamiliar faces all around me
I want to belong here
But there is no comfort.
I’m roaming with no destination.
Underneath the facade
I am screaming,
Searching for familiarity.
I keep searching and panic sets in.
I can’t find it.
I don’t feel it.
There must be a reason why I’m still here,
Why I’ve been left behind.
I’m lost and afraid and
Nobody will help me
But they’re watching
Waiting.
I don’t belong here.
I want to run, but
My feet are chained down.
So I sit down
And I wait
As if it was my choice.

My family is not too small
Just one short of a dozen.
Ten of us under one roof
And not one of them’s a cousin.

We drive in a 12-seater van
Sometimes even long distance.
But we’re not going anywhere
Until mom takes attendance.

My siblings greet me after work
With “Can I have a dollar?”
Oh look, my missing leather belt
Is now the cat’s new collar.

Our chickens provide our breakfast
Collected straight from the coop.
I hate to admit this but, last year
One of them cooked in our soup.

Our cat is great at catching mice,
He’ll even eat a few.
Unfortunately that is why
We’re down a parrot too.

We’re out of milk, there’s no clean socks,
Did someone feed the chickens?
Please don’t tell me it’s my turn
AGAIN to clean the kitchen.

Every day is an adventure
Some days more than one.
But let me tell you one thing:
We’re always having fun.

I'm feeling kind of lonely
but please
leave me alone.
I want to open up my heart
but please
don't ask what's wrong.

I'm longing to be rescued
but please
just let me drown.
I've built these walls
to keep you out
but please

just tear them down.

I am the sun
when it is night
I am the autumn
when it's spring
I am a cello
in its case
I am a star
in early daylight
I am July
when it's November

I am
hidden
patiently waiting for
my time
to be beautiful.

If only you could see
The way your eyes light up
As you share your passionate dreams.
Your smile
When it reaches up
And forms a crease around your eyes,
The way you throw your head back
When you laugh,
And the sound of it
Is a beautiful song,
A wonderful symphony.

If only you could see
What you can’t see
When you look in the mirror,
You’d believe me when I say
You’re beautiful.

The last golden rays of sun
Caress the trees
Before slipping over the horizon,
Leaving a peacefulness in their wake;
A quiet stillness.
Nothing moves except my eyes
As they close, and
There’s a feeling in my chest
I can’t explain
I think it’s happiness.


The heavy sound of rain
Pounding on the rooftop
Comforts me as I sit
Wrapped in a blanket on the porch,
A cup of coffee in my hand,
And just the thoughts inside my head.
I close my eyes
And give in to the feeling
I can’t explain,
I think it’s happiness.

Today I looked fear in the face,
Today I made a choice.
Not even the earthquake in my chest
Could shake my steady voice.

I spoke of what he said to me,
The fear that he imposed,
Of all the things he tried to do
Behind the door he closed.

Today I’ve laid my burden down,
Today I’ve been set free.
For when I spoke his name out loud
I broke his grip on me.

There is a seedling
Planted in
The soil of my heart.

She’s delicate
But full of life;
A priceless work of art.

A gentle touch,
A loving hand,
Is all she really needs

To open up
And face the sun,
And sprout her first new leaves.

Let’s wrap ourselves in blankets
And watch the sun come up.
I’ll brew a *** of coffee
And pour us both a cup.

Let’s rewatch our favorite shows,
And munch on ginger snaps.
You’ll brush my hair back from my face
As I sleep in your lap.

Let’s walk down the moonlit shore,
Our fingers intertwined.
I’ll tell you about my family,
You’ll share what’s on your mind.

Let’s go driving in the night,
With no destination.
We’ll sing along to songs we know,
Forgetting our location.

You’ll take me to your secret spot
And I’ll take you to mine.
We’ll slow dance to the crickets’ song
And lose all track of time.

So hurry up and cross my path,
I’d love to share it with you.
Let’s fall helplessly in love
And make this poem true.

It's way too hot
Call 911
Write out a ticket
To the sun

I may have died
Can someone check?
I need a beverage
Past my neck

I'm breathing in
Somebody's sweat
I'd pat your back
But it looks wet

My last brain cell
Has over-heated
I might combust
If left untreated

I needed that vent
No pun intended
Let's hope this summer’s
Not extended

There is a place deep in the woods
To everyone else unknown.
My own secluded hideaway;
A home away from home.

It’s there I feel the most myself,
No part of me to hide.
It’s there I feel the presence of God,
He’s right there by my side.

The trees have heard my deepest thought
And birds have sung my song.
Under the golden rays of sun
Is right where I belong.

It’s moments when I’m by myself
That I feel less alone.
There, in the silence of the woods
Is where I’ve truly grown.

Let’s go way back
To a simpler time.
To our very first chapter:
The summer we were nine.

You were too cool,
And I was too shy.
You didn’t really like me,
Sometimes you made me cry.

It didn’t take long
To outgrow that phase.
We developed a bond
In what seemed like two days.

From hiking adventures
To countless sleepovers,
We conquered the world
And saved snapping turtles.

When times became tough,
You knew just what to say.
My pain was your pain,
You made things okay.

You knew my whole heart;
All the grief, all the joys.
We shared endless phone calls
and complained about boys.

Fast forward to now:
We’re on year twenty-two.
Some things may have changed
But our friendship stayed true.

We’re secure on our own
But we’re stronger together.
I thank God for you,
You’re my best friend forever.

There is no brother worse than you,
Or any brother better.
I guess you’re turning out alright,
Sometimes your jokes are clever.

You wake up when I come from work,
Pretend you’re doing homeschool.
Your sneakers were two hundred bucks,
They barely even look cool.

If you’re not in the car in five,
Oh well, too bad, you’re walking.
Sometimes you tell me to shut up
When I’m not even talking.

Your taste in music is the worst,
But not worse than your omelettes.
Last time I checked under your bed,
I found your stash of chocolates.

You never know how to react
When someone compliments you.
“Timmy, thanks for making brownies”
“Shut up, before I slap you.”

You read like three survival books
And fixed up an old longboard.
Sometimes I hate driving with you
Because you steal the aux chord.

Overall, you’re pretty decent.
Your hygiene could use some work.
Just slap yourself once in a while
So you don’t become a ****.

I woke up early morning
With one thought in my head.
“I cannot wait until tonight
When I am back in bed.”

I’m on my second coffee
And still I’m not awake.
I pour a third and fourth cup;
My hands are starting to shake.

Don’t attempt to speak to me
Before the clock strikes ten.
It’s hard for me to form a sentence-
Or even a word - till then.

And if you know what’s good for you
Don’t ask me “where’s that smile?”
I will not hesitate to slap you;
I’m feeling extra vile.

Luckily, this cloud will pass,
It’s just a friendly warning.
So you will know what to expect
From me tomorrow morning.

When I was young and still quite dumb,
I tried out something just for fun.
I didn’t know if it would work,
My sister said I was berserk.

Feeling a little bit too clever,
I tied a few bed sheets together.
Then tied the sheet rope to the bed
“Please hold my weight”, I silently begged.

I opened the window, dropped the rope,
And for the best I only hoped.
With both my arms around the twine,
I started inching down the line.

Then, suspended in mid air,
I heard the rope begin to tear,
And with a rather dreadful sound,
From two floors up I plummeted down.

Around mid fall I heard a crack,
I landed, grunting, on my back.
My head felt dizzy, my finger ached;
The whole length of my back was scraped.

I walked home limping in a shame.
For there was no one else to blame.
Oh, and one thing worse than my broken finger?
My entire family watching from the window.

My dearest Prince Charming, have you lost your way?
The road that you took must’ve led you astray.

You missed a few turns, now your horse wants to drink.
“Was it this way or that way?” And you sit down to think.

Your throat is too dry and your leg has a cramp.
It’s getting too dark, you’ve decided to camp.

The bonfire’s blazing, you’re feeling alright.
You’ll continue your journey when you see the sun light.

Many weeks have gone by and you’re still in no hurry.
I’ve been waiting for you, now I’m starting to worry.

Did you fall off a cliff or drown in the lake?
Did you catch a disease or get bitten by a snake?

My love is still waiting, all gift-wrapped and ready.
It’ll soon collect dust so come claim it already.

We have places to go, and people to see.
Oh how happy together we’ll be, you and me.

Every day I’ll wake up as the sun is still rising.
And I’ll watch till I see you ride up the horizon.

Dear younger me, where have you gone?
It saddens me to think it’s been so long.

I miss your smile, the way your eyes lit up.
The happiness that overfilled your cup.

You were carefree, your heart untouched by sorrow.
At peace with yesterday, today, tomorrow.

When did it start? the whispers made of lead;
The lies that swarmed like flies inside your head.

They told you what you were wasn’t enough.
They touched your creamy soft skin and made it tough.

You clung to every whisper, every lie.
Believed you weren’t enough, with just one try.

I’m sorry for not sticking up for you.
For not reminding you of what was true.

Instead, I hurt you more, destroyed your pride.
Made you forget the girl you were inside.

I pity you, your heart was so naïve.
I’m sorry for what I made you believe.

I didn’t mean to speak to you so rough.
I’m sorry for not loving you enough.

Try to remember who you were, for me.
Before the world told you who you should be.

Two years into adulting.
It’s possible, who knew?
I look the same as yesterday
But today I’m twenty two!

Dentist trips still freak me out,
Sometimes I burn an egg.
My blanket covers both my feet,
So monsters won’t grab my leg.

I don’t go out on Friday night,
My ankles feel the weather.
And when I help the kids with homework,
We both learn math together.

Sometimes I’ll burst out crying
For no reason at all.
I know the words to one rap song,
And still prefer guys tall.

My puns are all intended,
There is a spoon I hate,
I’ll never mix my whites and brights,
I can’t stay up too late.

My life has been a wild ride
But I’m thankful for each day.
One day I hope to be mature,
One day... but not today.

When my thoughts are too heavy,
My feelings - too numb,
When my heart is unsteady,
And the tears start to come,

I put on my running shoes.
Tonight I can't hide.
I pace myself, breathing,
Letting go with every stride.

The melody of my footsteps,
The rhythm of my breaths,
Have synchronized into nothing;
A calm stillness inside my head.

I'm light  as a feather.
I let myself fly.
The world is a blur, but tonight,
... I'm alive.