Reflection: This was an inspirational/hope-themed poem that I wrote back in June of 2003 as a poem of hope, perspective, and inspiration to a wonderful friend of mine who had struggled with an addiction problem for years. So, he went to rehab for a couple of months to try to kick the habit and he was just getting released when I wrote this poem. It was a lengthy, heartbreaking struggle, but he eventually kicked the habit for good and has thrived in his life ever since. I am so happy about that.

Here’s the poem which comes from my book “Burning . . . Burning Blue:” https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/The-Rest-of-Your-Life.pdf

I

.

saw

.

y

o

u

.

today,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

almost

.

f

e

l

l

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

haze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

saw

.

y

o

u

.

today,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

barely

.

g

o

t

.

off

.

t

h

e

.

plane . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

barely

.

g

o

t

.

off

.

t

h

e

.

plane . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

many

.

.

years

.

before

.

h

a

d

.

you

.

swept

.

m

e

.

away ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

many

.

.

years

.

before

.

d

i

d

.

we

.

bow

.

o

u

r

.

heads

.

i

n

.

shame ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

back

.

in

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

o

f

.

adventurous

.

play . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

back

.

in

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

w

h

e

n

.

you

.

w

e

r

e

.

straight,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

became

.

gay.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in September of 2002 in reflection of a brief, but powerful, wonderful romantic experience I had back then. I’ve had multiple experiences like this in my life – especially in my youth. The movie: “Big Eden” partially inspired the writing of this poem and the memory of what happened during that time of my life.

Images

.

a

n

d

.

glimpses,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

images

.

a

n

d

.

glimpses,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

images

.

a

n

d

.

glimpses,

.

.

o

f

.

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

.

candle

.

o

f

.

my

.

soul . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

candle

.

o

f

.

my

.

hope . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

burns

.

f

o

r

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

every

day,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

every

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ even

as

.

weeks

.

a

n

d

.

months

.

g

o

.

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

.

I

.

know

.

t

h

a

t

.

even

.

i

f

.

distance,

.

.

m

u

s

t

.

.

walk

.

t

h

e

.

miles,

–

–

you

.

w

i

l

l

.

someday

.

arrive

.

w

i

t

h

.

that

.

tender

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ with

that

.

tender

smile

.

t

h

a

t

.

erases

.

all

.

t

h

e

.

time

.

gone

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

the

.

t

i

m

e

.

gone

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

w

i

l

l

.

arrive

.

with

.

t

h

a

t

.

blissful

.

wine,

–

–

which

.

pours

.

i

t

s

.

joy

.

a

n

d

.

delight,

.

.

i

n

t

o

.

.

the

.

yearning

.

heart

.

o

f

.

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ into

.

t

h

e

.

yearning

.

heart

.

o

f

.

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

w

i

l

l

.

arrive,

.

.

w

i

t

h

.

.

those

.

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ with

those

.

eyes

.

t

h

a

t

.

charm

.

a

n

d

.

warm

.

me

.

a

l

l

.

the

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

the

.

while,

.

.

that

.

y

o

u

.

are

.

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

the

.

while,

.

.

that

.

y

o

u

.

are

.

mine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

next

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Next

time,

.

.

I

.

.

w

i

l

l

.

waltz

.

with

.

t

h

e

.

drifting

tide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Next

time,

.

.

I

.

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

.

s

a

y

.

good-bye . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

will

.

never

.

s

a

y

.

goodbye . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

next

time.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in September of 2002 in reflection of a brief, but powerful romantic experience I had back then. I probably should have done more to try to keep it going – because even though you might believe the opportunity will come around again, many times it doesn’t. So, you have to make the most of it the first time it happens. I’ve had several experiences like this in my life as I’m sure many others have.

One

.

c

a

n

.

understand

.

all,

.

.

o

n

l

y

.

.

in

.

a

l

l

.

he

.

understands . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

One

.

c

a

n

.

believe

.

all,

.

.

o

n

l

y

.

.

in

.

a

l

l

.

he

.

believes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

One

.

c

a

n

.

share

.

all,

.

.

o

n

l

y

.

.

in

.

a

l

l

.

that

.

h

e

.

shares . . .

–

–

–

.

.

One

.

c

a

n

.

dream

.

all,

.

.

o

n

l

y

.

.

in

.

a

l

l

.

that

.

h

e

.

dreams . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ only

in

.

a

l

l

.

that

.

h

e

.

dreams . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

One

.

c

a

n

.

perceive

.

all,

.

.

o

n

l

y

.

.

in

.

all

.

h

e

.

perceives . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

One

.

c

a

n

.

seek
.

all,

.

.

o

n

l

y

.

.

in

.

a

l

l

.

that

.

h

e

.

seeks . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

One

.

c

a

n

.

hear

.

all,

.

.

o

n

l

y

.

.

in

.

a

l

l

.

that

.

h

e

.

hears . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

One

.

c

a

n

.

feel

.

all,

.

.

o

n

l

y

.

.

in

.

a

l

l

.

that

.

h

e

.

feels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ only

in

.

a

l

l

.

that

.

h

e

.

feels . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

One

.

c

a

n

.

understand

.

all,

.

.

o

n

l

y

.

.

in

.

a

l

l

.

he

.

understands . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.
 ~ perceive

.

all,

.

.

o

n

l

y

.

.

in

.

a

l

l

.

he

.

perceives . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

One

.

c

a

n

.

understand

.

all,

.

.

o

n

l

y

.

.

in

.

a

l

l

.

he

.

understands . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.
 ~ perceive

.

all,

.

.

o

n

l

y

.

.

in

.

a

l

l

.

he

.

perceives . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

One

.

c

a

n

.

understand

.

all,

.

.

o

n

l

y

.

.

in

.

a

l

l

.

he

.

understands . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.
 ~ perceive

.

all,

.

.

o

n

l

y

.

.

in

.

a

l

l

.

he

.

perceives . . .

–

–

–

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

.

.

that

.

i

s

.

all.

Reflection: This was an inspiration/hope-themed poem that I wrote back in September of 2002 to help inspire people to recognize how truly limited we are in terms of true perceptions, understanding, feelings, beliefs, and such. However, frequently we make judgements and form beliefs and opinions based on these limitations without even recognizing these. Much of this poem was inspired by the Bjork song: “I’ve seen it all.” I just love the contrast.

Admire the drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Admire the drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Admire the drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

pity the sacrifice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

could

.

e

a

r

n

.

a

.

promotion,

–

–

if

.

each

.

a

n

d

.

every

.

day,

.

.

y

o

u

.

.

wear

.

t

h

e

.

proper

.

attire,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

a

.

smile

–

–

that’s

.

r

e

a

l

.

nice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

could

.

e

a

r

n

.

a

.

promotion . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

could

.

e

a

r

n

.

a

.

promotion,

.

.

i

f

.

.

you

.

a

r

e

.

always

.

t

h

e

.

first

.

t

o

.

arrive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ if

you

.

volunteer

.

t

o

.

work

–

–

night,

–

–

after

night,

–

–

after

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

without

.

charging

.

overtime . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

could

.

e

a

r

n

.

a

.

promotion . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

could

.

e

a

r

n

.

a

.

promotion,

.

.

i

f

.

.

you

.

make

.

y

o

u

r

.

job

.

a

.

large

.

part

.

o

f

.

your

.

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

for

weeks . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

for

months . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

for

years . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

t

–

–

–

a

.

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

don’t

.

y

o

u

.

know,

–

–

that

.

someday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

someday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ maybe

even

.

years,

–

–

before

.

y

o

u

.

retire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

you

.

m

i

g

h

t

.

even

.

b

e

.

recognized

.

f

o

r

.

all

.

t

h

e

.

contributions . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

all

.

y

o

u

r

.

contributions,

–

–

which

.

made

.

y

o

u

r

.

organization

.

thrive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it’s

.

likely

.

y

o

u

.

might

.

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

likely

.

y

o

u

.

might

.

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

y

o

u

–

–

–

only

.

have

.

t

o

.

wait

.

a

.

little

.

while,

–

–

before

.

t

h

e

.

next

.

opportunity

.

arrives . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

only

.

have

.

t

o

.

wait

.

a

.

little

.

while,

.

.

t

o

.

.

realize

.

t

h

e

.

climb

.

y

o

u

.

desire . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

continue

.

working

.

y

o

u

r

.

way

.

t

o

.

the

.

front

.

o

f

.

the

.

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

it

.

could

.

b

e

.

well

.

worth,

.

.

t

h

e

.

.

investment

.

o

f

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

could

.

b

e

.

well

.

worth,

.

.

t

h

e

.

.

life

.

y

o

u

.

leave

.

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

you

.

could

.

e

a

r

n

.

a

.

promotion . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

could

.

e

a

r

n

.

a

.

promotion.

Reflection: This was a reflective-themed poem that I wrote back in August of 2002 in observation of those who routinely create an unhealthy balance between work and outside-of-work activities. A good, healthy way to look at work is making sure that, as a minimum, it provides the life you want outside of work.

When

.

hunger

.

i

s

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

torture . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

destruction

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

those

.

w

h

o

.

suffer,

.

.

w

i

l

l

.

.

never

.

b

e

.

heard . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

screaming

.

wounds

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ screaming

wounds

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

those

.

w

h

o

.

live,

–

–

safe

.

a

n

d

.

secure . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

those

.

w

h

o

.

rest

.

w

i

t

h

.

their

.

futures

.

assured . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

those

.

w

h

o

.

live,

–

–

among

.

t

h

e

.

common

.

herd,

.

.

w

i

l

l

.

.

never

.

b

e

.

able

.

t

o

.

discern . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

what

.

t

h

e

i

r

.

peace,

–

–

love,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

freedom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

s

–

–

–

truly

.

worth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

they

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

.

b

e

.

able

.

t

o

.

discern . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

color . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

depth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

the

texture . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

the

hurt . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Despair . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Terror . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Oppression . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Death . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

.

a

.

word.

Reflection: This was a reflective-themed poem that I wrote back in August of 2002 in reflection of various negative happenings in the world and the associated news stories and commentaries by those too far removed to relate or judge – but do so anyway to the detriment of the victims who could use a little help. So many cannot even begin to fathom the pain and suffering of others from a distance or without experiencing it on their own.

The

.

taunting

.

echoes

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

haunt

.

me,

.

.

d

o

w

n

.

.

those

.

reminiscent

.

halls . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

don’t

.

y

o

u

.

know

.

I

.

wish

.

sometimes,

.

.

I

.

.

could

.

make

.

t

h

o

s

e

.

memories

.

small . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ don’t

.

y

o

u

.

know

.

I

.

wish

.

sometimes,

.

.

I

.

.

could

.

forgive

.

a

n

d

.

forget

.

i

t

.

all . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

I

.

know

.

w

e

.

were

.

.

much

.

younger

.

w

i

t

h

i

n

.

those

.

walls . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

that

.

w

e

.

walked

.

b

a

c

k

.

then,

.

.

s

o

.

.

awkward

.

i

n

.

our

.

flaws . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ so

awkward

.

i

n

.

our

.

flaws . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

as

.

I

.

stroll

.

past

.

t

h

o

s

e

.

memories,

.

.

t

h

e

.

.

wounds

.

t

o

o

.

deep

.

t

o

.

heal,

–

–

begin

.

t

o

.

burn

.

a

n

d

.

bleed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

.

burn

.

a

n

d

.

bleed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

.

burn

.

a

n

d

.

bleed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

.

burn

.

a

n

d

.

bleed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

make

.

m

e

.

feel

.

t

o

o

.

strange,

.

t

o

.

engage . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

too

.

strange,

.

t

o

.

offer

.

a

.

c

o

o

l

.

embrace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

feel

.

t

o

o

.

strange

.

t

o

.

engage . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

too

.

strange

.

t

o

.

embrace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

.

.

.

I

.

pretend

.

n

o

t

.

to

.

recall:

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

faces . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

names . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

aches . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

I

turn

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

turn

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

the

.

pain

.

t

h

a

t

.

still

.

remains . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

.

search

.

f

o

r

.

a

.

m

o

r

e

.

brotherly,

–

–

sisterly

–

–

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

I

.

won’t

.

f

e

e

l

.

this

.

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ where

.

I

.

won’t

.

f

e

e

l

.

this

.

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

today.

Reflection: This was a forgotten but powerful personal struggle-themed poem I wrote back in August of 2002 where the affected party is haunted by and cannot escape the ugly hurt and shame experienced in the past. This poem was based on personal experiences from my childhood days. I wish I could just forgive and forget but have come to realize that is not always possible – because at times we continue feeling hurt and awkward around certain people in our lives.

Can

.

y

o

u

.

perceive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Can

.

y

o

u

.

even

.

perceive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

e

–

–

–

pain

.

upon

.

t

h

e

.

page,

.

.

a

s

.

.

you

.

begin

.

t

o

.

read . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ as

you

.

begin

.

t

o

.

read . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

about

.

w

h

a

t

.

happened

.

t

o

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

.

of

.

t

h

e

.

dying

.

hopes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

dared

.

t

o

.

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

.

of

.

t

h

e

.

dying

.

hopes,

.

.

I

.

.

dared

.

t

o

.

dream.

Reflection: This was a simple, reflective-themed poem that I wrote back in July of 2002 when pondering how much of what I write actually gets translated into feelings, meanings, and inspirations which are closely aligned with the original experience, observation, or intent.

I

.

care . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

genuinely

.

care . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

how

.

d

o

.

I

.

hold

.

on ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

d

o

.

I

.

hold

.

on,

.

.

t

o

.

.

all

.

o

f

.

those

.

w

h

o

.

add

.

color

.

t

o

.

my

.

life ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

d

o

.

I ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

d

o

.

I

.

hold

.

on,

.

.

t

o

.

.

their

.

guiding

.

lights

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

shine ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

d

o

.

I ?

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

How

.

d

o

.

I

.

hold

.

on

.

t

o

.

their

.

warming

.

smiles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

.

.

.

I

.

journey

.

f

r

o

m

.

mile,

–

–

to

mile,

–

–

to

mile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

How

.

d

o

.

I ?

Reflection: This was an inspirational/hope-themed poem that I wrote back in July of 2002 in honor of all of those special, wonderful people who have greatly contributed to my life and/or served to deeply inspire me. They added such warmth, color, beauty, and music to my life and to the living collage that is me – and today I am the result of all of those contributing parts and pieces (and more). And I cherish and appreciate each and every one of them.

I

.

know

.

y

o

u

.

wanted

.

m

e

.

to

.

b

e

.

perfect

.

.

i

n

.

.

every

.

possible

.

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

although,

.

I

.

try,

.

.

I

.

know

.

I

.

c

a

n

. 

never

.

navigate,

.

.

a

l

l

.

.

the

.

obstacles

.

y

o

u

.

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

.

t

h

e

.

obstacles

.

y

o

u

.

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

within

.

y

o

u

r

.

proving

.

maze . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Is

.

love

.

n

o

t

.

enough?

–

–

–

.

.

.

Is

.

love

.

n

o

t

.

enough?

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

separate

.

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

.

silhouettes

.

stained

.

b

y

.

your

.

eternal

.

gray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Is

.

love

.

n

o

t

.

enough?

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

move

.

away

.

a

n

d

.

into

.

s

o

m

e

.

brighter

.

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

.

rot

.

a

n

d

.

waste

.

t

h

a

t

.

decays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Is

.

love

.

n

o

t

.

enough?

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

make

.

opinions

.

sway . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ to

gain

.

a

.

warm

.

embrace,

.

.

s

o

.

.

I

.

do

.

n

o

t

.

fade,

–

– 

beneath

.

t

h

e

.

setting

.

haze,

.

.

l

i

k

e

.

.

those

.

f

r

o

m

.

yesterday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

try

.

s

o

.

hard . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

try

.

s

o

.

hard . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

be

.

.

s

o

.

.

clean,

.

.

s

o

.

.

sincere,

.

.

s

o

.

.

pristine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

.

pray

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

be

.

t

h

e

.

each

.

a

n

d

.

everything,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

ponder

.

h

o

w

.

much

.

y

o

u

.

would

.

t

r

u

l

y

.

believe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ how

much

.

y

o

u

.

would

.

t

r

u

l

y

.

believe . . ,

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

a

m

.

still

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

a

m

.

still

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

I

.

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

you

.

offer

.

m

e

.

defeat . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

you

.

feed

.

m

e

.

reality . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

now,

.

instead

.

o

f

.

angels,

.

o

n

l

y

.

demons

.

breathe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Instead

.

o

f

.

hope,

.

.

I

.

.

f

e

e

l

.

unease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

.

f

e

e

l

.

unease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

y

e

t

–

–

–

still,

.

.

I

.

.

dream . . .

–

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

.

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

.

.

dream.

Reflection: This was a forgotten personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in September of 2007 where the affected party struggles against a brutal, judgmental, domineering force. Nothing the affected party does will ever be enough – so, self-acceptance and standing up for oneself is most likely the best path to pursue.