Under a rock
In the messiest river
You have given me
A power jam

It is red
And shiney
And it burns
With passion

If you hold it closely
You'd see the cracks
And feel the endless vibration
I always think it might break

But the red rock keeps it's structure
For every time I tried it
It has yet to fail me
It has shown me new lenghts

I am terrified it might fall into little pieces
One day
But as you promised
It always held together

I love the two wheeled demons
they are in my soul waiting
to let fly
all my inhibitions
I have studied them
coveted them
but the courage to be free
defeats me
as I see the smiling face of death
on the first hairpin bend

Why?
Because every memory is still beautiful!
Even when intentions of actions were unkind.
For these burning fires have birthed
My greatest strengths.
Thank you for all you have done.
Our roles at the close of the last act, complete.
Watching as the curtain closes
Shedding the glove, we call a body
We return to the Light from which we came.

The sound of fingers
The string of hearts
Pressed wood hallowed out
Digging, digging
Digging, digging
Breathe in breathe out.
It takes courage
Just to exist.
I've tied my heart to a steel string
And lost them around the cuticles
of your fingers.
Of all the cruel things in life
I am glad that you're not one of them.
I've tuned my lips
& Twisted my hips toward you.
You never once laughed
When I mentioned
I am still learning how to dance

Be brave enough to be honest
Be brave enough to be honest with yourself and  with others
Be brave enough to ask for help
Be brave enough to speak up for yourself and your beliefs
Be brave enough to say “No”
Be brave enough to do the right thing
Be brave enough to admit you were wrong
Be brave enough to apologize
Be brave enough to say you do not understand something
Be brave enough to learn
Be brave enough to try new things
Be brave enough to follow your dreams
Be brave enough to be yourself
Be brave enough to feel the good and the bad
Be brave enough to be different
Be brave enough to dress the way you want
Be brave enough to leave ****** situations
Be brave enough to keep going
Be brave enough to change
                                                  your mind,
                                                                        your life,
                                                                                           yourself
Be brave enough to live

Look in the mirror and see what I do
A beautiful woman, and that woman is you

Conquering the obstacles life puts in your way
You pick yourself up when the worlds in disarray

The first few days are the hardest days
I've learned this fact in a number of ways

But I see you walking with such great pride
So why are you worried, put those concerns aside

And one day, again, you'll be riding high
So ignore all the bad things that keep passing by

‪Just stay level headed, focus on your dream‬
Things will come around, they ain’t as crazy as they seem

And you will find in a moments time
That you will be stronger and that you will shine

-AJT

wrestling with evil
wear complete suit of armor
~ conquer with courage

rescued from onslaught
lies and misinformation
~ ***** girded with truth

safeguarding our hearts
resisting the evil day
~ righteousness’ breastplate

love for our neighbor
giving’s greater happiness
~ feet shod with good news

strongly entrenched things
evil one’s burning missiles
~ faith’s protective shield

empty deceptions
soundness of mind endangered
~ salvation’s helmet

God’s Word is alive
source of unending wonder
~ sword of the spirit

Seek help from on high
trust the one who is unseen
~ pray incessantly




Mark Toney ©️ 2021