Where did all the love go,
in the tears of yesterday?

Can we make the love grow,
with the years of yesterday?

Show me in what you know,
tell me ears of yesterday,

Oh your love that I will show you..
with no fears of yesterday.

Cherie Nolan © 2016

We live by the words "be perfect don't fail"
About us we should see what that reveals
We obsess over numbers on a scale
Expectations are set by these ideals

When did portion sizes become so small
It's hard to think of but needs to be said
Put my health first vs. do I care at all
A constant battle inside of my head

Strength and will-power silence the voices
My body shaming can finally stop
Pushing myself to make the right choices
In this battle I will come out on top

Because the exact moment I give in
I'm choosing to let society win

Drip drip the rain goes
The farm rots and the wind blows
Time fades away like light into darkness
The Blackness drips come centerfold

In the realm of the nothing it can be so lonely
Dreaming about a better time with your one and only
But hope is like the poor man's change
Give it up and things will stay the same

So the black gives in to bright
The stars are shining over the night
The city glistens like a diamond rock
And you and your love wake up together

The sunrays
are coming out to play,
but I am stuck here
in this deserted place,
where the clouds never slumber,
it only rains,
keeping the light at bay.

I am a flower
in decay.
The concrete keeps
the sun away.
I have no nourishment
left to bloom.
A prisoner in every room,
every wall painted
the shade of gloom;
empty
with need to be filled
of hope.
But...
I am not void of will,
a seedling,
I will one day outgrow
this shield
and you will see me fly
into the glorious light.
So it is
with sullen bones,
a body depressed
and yearning
to be lifted,
I will press my palms
to the ground,
push myself up
to rise;
a butterfly
out of her dark cocoon.
I will free the light,
exhale my plights;
because I...
am stronger than that
which seeks to break me.
I am stronger
and I will conquer all
that seeks to defeat me,
paint every wall red,
the color of life;
survival.

The sun rays
are coming out to play;
me too.

“A brain.
An athlete.
A basket case.
A princess.
And a criminal.”

Over the years, I have given myself such abuse,
With my great newfound friends, I can really let loose.
What a shame, can’t be lame, there is just no excuse.
I am glad I loosened the noose.
The grip on my hair and my head and my brain was
Becoming too much to take.
Stuck in a rut, so sarcastic and vile, I never thought
That people would like me.
Although I must keep appearances up,
I’m afraid I must be blunt.
A great deal of energy is required
To put up such a front.

There is no one that lives on this great, big Earth
That is a fan of vulnerability.
Behind this exterior, the sarcastic quips,
Lies a lamp, an antique, a great artifact,
A trinket, an heirloom, a gift to the world
Marked “fragile” on its side.

The one with the snort and the smile that kills,
With the tongue made of brass and a heart made of gold,
How could I ever forget you?
The one, innocent and so sweet, but with
A feisty temper –
How could I ever forget you?
The one with the cackle and
Beautiful eyes,
How could I ever forget you?
The one with the wit, beard, and
Effortless charm,
Now how could I ever forget you?
The luscious locks and never-ending
****-talks,
How could I ever forget you?
The jokes and feels and laughs and cries,
It’s home – how could I forget you?

Someone like me is not always loved,
But calling you friends, although;
It has made me effortlessly proud to say
I’m a ******* Mexico.

Lying to bed,
Bringing this pain.
Thoughts in my head,
Drive me insane.

Do the right thing.
Don't mind the lies.
Trouble it'll bring,
Sorrow and cries.

Let go of the past,
Forget its why's.
Problems won't last.
Eye on the price.

Focus and win.
Never give up.
Destroy that sin,
–addictions stop.

I’ve finally come to realize
That it wasn’t anything I did wrong
It’s just that the way I am
Didn’t fit the doll you had drawn

It’s not the typical
I’m just not skinny enough
I’m not pretty enough
I’m not smart enough

Because you didn’t just want pretty
My body did suit your eye’s hunger
It wasn’t anything physical
I was simply too fast for the hunter

Because I’m just not naive enough
My mind wasn’t bleak enough
I wasn’t afraid enough
I wasn’t weak enough

And instead of apologizing
As a means of stipulation
I became smarter, stronger, happier
I didn’t fall for manipulation

And that’s not what you looked for in a woman
So you found a new target to offer that world
Instead of fighting, I still seek purpose in my own
I won't allow my self-control to be overthrown