Mother, I spread my arms for you
as the nails beat into the flesh of my wrists
and the wood stings the skin of my back
I look up at the skies and pray that it rains
so that your garden will grow at last
and bear fruit that you'll want to share with me
but I'll be gone far too fast
Father, I raise my eyes for you
so that I'll see if there's tears when you cry
The phone will be answered for all but for me
and my sisters and my brothers will be free
No more time at the window, because we knew what to expect
no more times calling your name when locked out of the nest
So wear a cross or a ring maybe my name to mark
do not forget I was here
Sisters, I'll raise my chest for you
as I breathe in and out for as long as I can
until it becomes heavy with a weight I cannot bear
and my spirit shoots up into dusk
You held my hands as I first took steps
but clawed at my scars when we were on other ends of the battlefield
we were what we were raised to be,
and I love you forever til my rest
Brothers, I'll hold my face to yours
as my blood starts to run thin
Nose to nose you'll see we aren't that different
as you once thought
Fingers crossed that you'll reach the steps
you've prayed to reach a thousand times
and I hope that my blood will hit the earth
so that the sacrifice will be mine
Friends, wherever you were when the time had come
I will always hold my peace
for you were my stable when it thundered
and my flower for deaths the reaper will keep
In a circle we will rise, in a cycle we'll never leave
I hope that I'll meet you in my next life
otherwise I'll forever be near, hold your peace
My tears that I cry are for the gods that held me
and I not knowing their presence held fast
For regret that I will not stay too long
but relief as freedom will last
My heart will beat just one more time
for the people of this world
I hope that you will not cross the line
when the war goes on still
I'll give up all my lives if it means that you all will be safe
underneath the willow tree
we were all birthed under that place,
for our will to choose will be always free

HOPEFULLY, if willing, I will see you again,
HOPEFULLY, This Friendship would never, ever end,
HOPEFULLY, some day l will see you around,
even if I am feeling so low and so down.

Hopefully, I will touch the blue heavenly skies and
spread my wings like the birds so very High,
I am very thankful for whatever life provides, and
the fact the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

MOST DEFINITELY, I will BE THANKFUL of the things I already have,
Accept things as they are, and in this BE GLAD,
I am happy with MY LIFE, and this HAPPINESS IS FREE,
Just to LOVE my WONDERFUL LIFE, and I will CONTINUE TO LOVE ME!!! ❤️


B.R.
Date: 11/2/72024

I need to be more open
or honest

Cause if I am not
there will be even
more battles I will have
to fight

And it should be easy but
my mind scared

Scared something will
going wrong and my earth  will fall

And this is me the person that is
not ever smart or free

I've lost a lot cause of my stupid thoughts

But now I know what I need to do
so that I don't loose

I pray that I can do this everyday

But it seems like there is not point

Why make me stuggle
because of you,
When I'm willing
to struggle with you?

You follow light with willing desire
With no fear
No worries
Why
~~~
A silly mouse
A confused cat
You follow without question
You trust in something
with blind eyes
Why
~~~
Desperate are you
Lost
Confused
In need

I cry and worry in your stead
Wait
For a sign of safety
But none

I'm ready and willing to fix you
even if it means giving you a piece of me,
and that's what scares me about love

©L.F.

“Take care of yourself first.”
That’s what we told my mama
When my daddy had his strokes.
Seven long years by his side,
Caring for his body, paralyzed.
Fearing for her health we said:
“You can’t take care of daddy
Till you care for yourself first.”
That’s what we told my mama,
Until my daddy died in 1985.

“Take care of yourself first.”
That’s what I told my wife
When her mom’s simple operation
Became a septic laceration.
As she tirelessly cared for mom
I feared for her well-being.
“You can’t take care of mom
Till you care for yourself first.”
That’s what I told my wife,
Until her mom passed on in 2011.

“Take care of yourself first.”
That’s what my wife told me
As my mama slowly wasted away,
Physically, mentally, emotionally.
And we willingly provided the
Loving care that she deserved.
“You can’t take care of mama
Till you care for yourself first.”
That’s what my wife told me,
Until my mama left the scene in 2015.

Take care of yourself first
When you experience the worst,
For if you fall apart, for certain
You’ll be someone else’s burden.