Mrs. Potter's Lullaby

Based on a song by Adam Duritz

A cloak of stars covers me in my bed,

easing me into delightful dreams

as they glisten and twinkle

and giggle happily all night long.

A strange image arises in my mind

of the beautiful night sky,

encompassing nothingness

as its babies are with me.

The stars comfort me

in my time of distress,

swathing me in a soft blanket,

 reassuring me of a peaceful night ahead.

Jazz Night

His fingers tap without effort
on the black and white piano keys.
His brim hat is tucked down low
on his sweaty forehead.
Concentration
and peacefulness
play across his features.

Reminiscing

I cry as I remember
 the good times
even though they were few.
 I wish our problems
 could have been resolved,
shaped into a better sculpture.
 But we failed. 
Our partnership dissipated. 

Torn Youth

Slept the years away
and took no chances.
Stayed inside myself
and did not allow others admittance to my heart-
it was already a ripped valentine-
A torn youth.

I was a shy hummingbird,

fluttering vulnerably,
wandering hopeful,
struggling to buzz through the day.
An endangered innocent.

A polished perfectionist
is what I was known as,
but I could not see
through the vast curtain of lies,
fed to me like silent forces.

I swam through severe storms,

grasping tangled dreams
and painted ideas,
praying for answers to be revealed
and a chance to get what I wanted.

My childhood ended with my first real relationship,

the finale of the Harry Potter franchise,
my search for colleges,
when I gained a loyal friend:
confidence in myself,
and the courage to take a chance.

I own my life and my future.

My decisions are mine alone
(an intimidating thought,
but also a boiling temptation)
They whisper like healed wounds.

My heart blossoms with joy,

a warm honey seeps through
my spoken words- happiness appears.
Uneven intentions grow
and eventually prosper into brave actions.

Growing up,

growing older,
more of a strong self:
No longer dragged
through barbed wire-
no longer a torn youth-
Instead, an unyielding fortress.

Here It Goes

I bite my lip to keep from offering my input.  The temptation is so strong that I almost cannot hold back.  Sweat glistens on my forehead and I tap my fingers impatiently on my desk.  'That's it.  Just do it.' I tell myself.  I start to raise my hand, but as I open my mouth to speak, I'm cut off by another.  They suggest a brilliant plan and everyone ooh's and aah's.  I sigh.  I pick at my cuticles.  I was too late.  Again. 

Black Hole

No gravity exists
in this world I live in;
nothing catches you
and stops you from your demise.

I fall ungraciously,
continuing in a downward descent
towards absolute nothingness,
an endless path to nowhere.

Tears escape from my eyes
as I continue at a constant speed;
the force of others push me down
and I trip and tumble frequently.

Light disappears from my surroundings
and I am swathed in darkness,
unable to tell where I am,
just knowing I am stuck in a black hole.

Positivity

Positivity is what makes happiness prosper,
fulfilling ounces of joy
with each delightful outcome,
a start to self-actualization.

Envisioning a complete refuge
built from broken boards,
rusty nails and masking tape,
a new renovation- by inspiration.

Positivity shines golden
and lights up a black hole,
providing an escape
from visible omens.

Tears out the bad
and installs the goodness
needed for a blanket of blissful change-
a bright, perfect positivity.

Anxiety is like an earthquake

Anxiety is like an earthquake,
a loud rumbling movement
that ignites sparks of fear
and shakes the soul.

It creates madness
and an intense nervousness,
somewhat a thrill and excitement,
but also a stomach-clenching worry.

Anxiety is waiting in a room
for a meaningful interview:
hands sweating, eyes twitching,
body itching all over, and breathing rapidly.

It is arriving at the movies
on a Friday movie night with friends
to see the next heart-palpitating "Saw",
ready and brave but not.

Anxiety is an exciting emotion;
it induces heaps of stress
but creates a mind full of wonder,
waiting for a memorable adventure.

Sadness

Sadness is when the world cries with you:
in raging rivers and crashing waves,
but also in calm streams and gurgling brooks
that are more silent and peaceful.

The tears leak from a dripping faucet,
falling down to a place unknown
where more drops gather
and wallow endlessly together.

It surrounds us in all forms
of man-made objects and nature by God,
comforting each sad soul,
and capturing every bit of doubt.

It becomes happiness eventually:
after witnessing a mother bird feeding her baby,
seeing a sunflower grow in the most unlikely place,
watching an act of kindness take place in front of you.

Sadness always comes back though:
the water bottle empties itself on the ground,
which takes the liquid and makes it disappear.
gone for the moment, only to take a new form.

What I Am

I am for paper copies of books
clean, pristine pages with words
read hundreds of times by many
rather than those digital monstrosities.

Delving into the fantasy world
to escape reality every now and then
and to find a purpose
for why we dream of imaginary things.

I am for inspiration,
motivation, and conversation
history, mystery,
discovery and integrity.

Working hard to achieve great things
while remaining confident in ourselves
and supporting each other
while traveling the rollercoaster of life.

I am for the little nothings
like the strewn chocolate wrappers
littering the floor after a difficult day
and the reward of scented stickers stuck
on top of an A+ paper.

Sharing silly stories on weekends
with the best of friends
who have each other's back
no matter what may materialize.

I am from the beautiful countryside
and the distinct smell of manure
evident most in the springtime
while cows of all colors graze in perfect pastures.

Riding through raving rivers
on my trusted fourwheeler,
my sister hanging off the back,
face flushed with pure glee.

I am from calm summer days
where only pleasant sounds are heard,
birds chirping, cats playfully meowing,
while the rooster crows and the frog croaks.

Preparing fruits and vegetables
for display at the summer stand,
carving pumpkins on cold autumn nights
and shaping snowmen while feeling the chilly wind.

I am from a united family
of four strong, intelligent people
who protect each other
from dangers that may lurk around us.

I am for me and those around me.
I am from the comfort of my home,
the tender closeness of my family.
I am what I am and always will be.

Fantasy

One day I hope to find
he who is right for me.
Maybe I am just blind
must use my eyes to see.

But everywhere I look
there is no one around
so I open up a book
and inside am safe and sound.

Fantasy is better than reality
so I immerse myself in it
and swim in a sea of honesty
where I cannot get bit.

Out in the real world
unhappiness lurks at every corner,
waiting to be hurled
at anyone who is a mourner.

Because of the games people play
love is often lost.
Many have fallen prey
leading to a highly cost.

So together we affected must stand
and assure that these events
will no longer expand
and be present.

13 Origami Swans

Each unique in their own way
all different shades,
all different patterns,
strung together on one line.

Five blue swans
floating high above
colors of the sea, the night sky,
a glass of shimmering water.

Four pink swans
cascading through the air
with patterns of spring flowers,
squares, puffy clouds

Three yellow swans
inhabiting the entirety of the line
a deep dark mustard, a bright yellow sun,
a pale light shade.

There are no colors with a pair
only one purple swan
starving for attention,
striving to be noticed,
the most unique of all.