1. 

Glide toward battle 

The shadows in front hide what we

think to be, covering the delusions that it isn’t real 

Chilling our bones, but masking our faces to be cool. 

Hiding in the closet we

Look in both directions before we lurk  

Till no one is seen. Hoping that we weren't too late.

Counting the steps, we 

Move straight, waiting to strike. 

Every movement, aligned and straight 

Attacking with the speed that we 

Professed, while hearing someone sing 

Calculating the notes as a sin. 

Close to the end, we 

Lurk behind a lad, approaching a thin 

Door with a canteen of gin. 

Stealthily walking, we 

Pray to stand, hoping to jazz 

In another night sky of June, 

Until our bodies can take no more. For we

Pray, for we do not die. 

Pray, for the light of our children to hit us soon 

2. 

Petalless Flowers 

From Valentines to birthdays,

To celebrations of many, 

The bright colors of petals are the catching eyes 

for plenty. 

But from the eyes of some, the beautiful gifts are slumped, and poky. 

The Water you give is not enough. 

The light you shine can kill it slowly.

Even the words that lift it up, 

Is easily forgotten 

on the dusty surface that was once their home. 

The symbols of purity and rebirth are thrown away and scattered to dust,

By the sorrows that took its life and meaning. 

The reminder that nothing stays whole

 is a fear that can not be completed,

Only to be a token that is passed down to the one 

to whom it was given.

3. 

Reversed and Forced 

Oh,

    For the pale white on her tinted face

Blocks out the revulsion she hopes to accentuate 

For the deep blue hem of her dress 

Sways with her legs 

Caught, in the grip of the prince  

The clear marble floors 

Reflects what is underneath 

Forced to show nothing 

But to no avail, 

Knows it was shined on purpose 

The crowded room 

With no concern 

but money in their eyes 

The heels,

Pain her feet 

But makes her reassured for her safety 

Counting the clock 

Slowly making it to twelve

Force the time to end

So that this night 

will end. 

4. 

Poison boils my brain 

Causing delusions,

Paralyzing my mind. 

The beliefs I had, 

submerged by lies,

holding me back with chains. 

Opinions that were named facts. 

A story that was known to be true. 

A book of light, causing me pain. 

The child inside 

Not knowing what to think, 

Forced to put my own self to the side 

Creating confusion about my existence, 

Unable to identify myself. 

Masking

For the 

“Lovely girl” everyone else knew

5. 

No Goodbyes

The moment have gone through a stoop

Standing in front and watching:

My father, red on his eyes,

Water spilling on his face.

On the ground,

Looking down.

Teeth bared, mouthing something. 

I think he’s weeping? 

Holding my hand,

Trembling. 

Red covered the rug,

Spreading to my feet. 

Shrieks spring out, 

Someone hitting the floor. 

Mother? 

I reach but don’t move. 

Speak but don’t hear. 

Trying but never succeeding.