In shadows cast by life’s hand, I stood alone on desolate land.

Lost, forsaken, my heart bereft, trapped a world where bonds I once had left.

With weary steps, I tread that path, Where laughter once danced, I experianced silent wrath.

Isolation’s cloak tightened its hold, As sorrow’s whispers pierced my soul, bold.

Longing for connections, lost and gone, Yearning for love, yet feeling withdrawn,

But though the world may turn its back, Within me flickers strength, never to lack.

In solitude’s embrace, I found my voice, rising above, making a choice,

Finding solace in my own embrace, And rewriting the narrative, with grace.

Embracing me, proud and free, I discovered strength which is my key,

In acceptance, I found my worth, A being, now embracing my rebirth.

And as laughter resounds, Love’s gentle arms wrap me around,

Building family once more, a place of light and might, Together we conquer the darkest of night.

The past may fade, but hope shall remain, A token of love, erasing the pain.

So, let my wounds of yesteryear heal, With each sunrise, a renewed zeal,

For in the depths of despair, I find, Strength to rebuild, and leave pain behind.

I thought I had no love left in my heart to grieve for those who do not love me in return. I had committed to reserving my grief for those who did so. Yet, you proved me wrong in my understanding because you stopped loving me, but I chose to grieve your departure with love, not hate. I misunderstood what love was and subsequently grief as well.

I understand now that my grief is the endurance my love has for you, not yours for me. And while I could choose to view you as a monster because of how you acted towards me, I refuse.

Instead, I thank you for teaching me up until the very end, not only this lesson regarding my ability to love without reciprocation, but for providing me with a map that I will use again as my own parents age. If it wasn’t for you, I would be less complete and less prepared for future life experiences.

Thank you for loving me when you did, and for showing me the beauty you were capable of, because it has taught me that I am capable of loving without anything to look for in return. I wish you peace, and I hope that includes finding and spending eternity with Grandpa.

I have missed you and will continue to miss you. I will always have room in my heart to love you, Goodbye Grandma

.

History gives a map of future’s way,

Left by those who sailed our waters yesterday.

Darkness hides deep below, naps in mystery,

While warnings flowed stray,

And now we question life beyond this day.

Our anchored hope, though veiled,

Claps at fear,

And waves victory

Where hearts now lay.

False hope exists alone for they

Who allow their soul to be lost and sink away

.

As progress renders shadows obsolete, warnings of certain darkness go unheard.

Shade cast on nothing; forget guardrails serve to learn.

Forgotten shadows neglect battles fought first in mind.

This allows the path to failure as unprepared is human kind.

Death, can you hear my constant cry? My spirit, burdened, falling in battles; I can no longer fight or fly.

I think now to a time of beauty, peace, and light, Though I remain unseen, all my problems cease their might.

I pause my words and reflect on what that means, As I retreat from hope and give up my dreams.

_{I should note that these are deeply provocative words, reflecting emotions experienced by thousands of people daily. I share this not because I am currently in such a crisis, but to shed light on these feelings and encourage understanding. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. In the U.S., you can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or visit 988lifeline.org for confidential support 24/7. You are not alone, and help is always available.}

What we all shout is our desire to fly
and see our potential grow higher,
without being bound by chains with no key.
We require the determination and power
to live our life uniquely and free,
preventing our hearts and souls from fading
and wanting to retire under the weight of a lord and sire.
We have had enough of being routinely slurred
and left in the gutter like a flea.
We will cast these chains off like the bird of fire
and seek victory on plains far higher.
There are many who choose not to understand us
and instead conspire.
We need not worry when our rainbow array
is united as a choir;
it’s then our voices have better chances of being heard,
preventing our freedoms from being deferred, deterred,
and left in mire like an unloved herd.
We demand to have the basic rights as a bird,
for now many of us must fly away from all that is absurd.
Yet we refuse to allow you to steal away
and then hide our identity & dignity
and gaslight us into thinking that never has occurred.
We will be strong to the last fight
because in our hearts we know we have grass roots might.
Here’s the take away, many of us have lost everything already,
be careful when you chose us as an opponent,
there will be nothing you can say or pray
that will make us disappear and go away
because you forget one small component.
You forget we are actually your sons and daughters,
it is us who need waters of life now,
yet I promise we will remember that you chose to shun
and at times even slaughter with us with your own guns.
So take a moment and think,
when you stifle and attempt to destroy us
you won’t avoid being indicted,
you forget you harm your future, your legacy and everything
because you refuse to be reunited,
yet we have hope, for the colors of our rainbow
transcend every party, creed and race,
so while we won’t forget that you have left us blighted,
we have far greater hope because within us something has been Ignited,
our hearts are already freed
because we live the dream and values of these states united.

In shadows cast by life’s cruel hand,I stand alone on desolate land,
Lost, forsaken, my heart bereft,
In a world where bonds I once had left.

With weary steps, I tread this path,
Where laughter once danced, now silent wrath,

Isolation’s cloak tightens its hold,
As sorrow’s whispers pierce my soul, bold.

Longing for connections, lost and gone,
Yearning for love, yet feeling withdrawn,

But though the world may turn its back,
Within me flickers strength, never to lack.

In solitude’s embrace, I find my voice,
To rise above, to make a choice,

To seek solace in my own embrace,
And rewrite the narrative, with grace.

Embracing my essence, proud and free,
I discover strength that resides within me,

In self-acceptance, I find my worth,
A radiant spirit, embracing rebirth.

Through the open doors of vulnerability,
I find kindred souls, a shared affinity,

In diverse voices, a symphony of care,
Friendships blossoming, connections to share.

And as the echoes of laughter resound,
Love’s gentle arms wrap me around,

In chosen family, a haven of light,
Together we conquer the darkest of night.

The past may fade, but hope shall remain,
A beacon of love, erasing the pain.

So, let the wounds of yesteryear heal,
With each sunrise, a renewed zeal,

For in the depths of despair, I find,
Strength to rebuild, and leave pain behind.

When the first post is placed we allow a division to begin

With each baluster we allow our outlook to grow dim

Soon our vision doesn’t even allow the possibility of a gate,

this however was the reality in our mind all along.

Cynicism is opium to blunt pain. I’m a user and I love the kick but hate myself.

I admired myself before pain. There was a simplicity before I started lying to myself.

There’s nowhere to go but forward, but that’s ok because today we are creating tomorrow’s memories.

My altruism may be my most cynical quality, after all who will help everyone if I don’t?

The haunting pain of labors dry

My soul begins to close within my daunting try

Flaunting in vain my neighbors pry

My joy becomes gaunt before I cry

This is a story of a wandering notion

A thought of glory thundering in emotion

Shuddering as a quarry deep with commotion

Clinging to life fluttering leaping of devotion

How the bliss squandered was lesson learned

Miss pine wander it churned the wind of these parts was earned

Now the kiss of the past pondered and yearned

Hiss whine maunder now spurned my heart had now turned