# data[].attributes.body
Sun

In the morning when the sun shines through

my drawn crimson curtains I come to realize

My eyes are only attracted to the murky night

When the moon comes out to play

No wonder

The wolves run round at dusk

and lay their heads

down at dawn

Human Beings

Something so Complex

turns into something so simple

just like that

Our body breathes the sun in and out

Like dogs on a cool summer day

Look to the sky

Understand why the sun looks so beautiful

Let it touch your soul with everything you have

# data[].attributes.body
Gucci gang, Gucci gang, Gucci gang, Gucci gang
Gucci gang, Gucci gang, Gucci gang (Gucci gang!)

# data[].attributes.body
Can’t stop won’t stop

Were the brakes at

I through they work

So now I’m flying

The car is flying down the highway full speed

With no way to stop

# data[].attributes.body
There once was a man called David.

He said, "See the lovely pavid!"

It was rather old,

But not very green gold,

And he couldn't resist the mcdavid.

# data[].attributes.body
Because I could not achieve for aquatics,
They did kindly achieve for me.
Aquatics, aquatics, every where,
Yet not a drop to achieve.

The activity that's really mental,
Above all others is the recreation.
Reasonable, rural recreation.
Recreation, recreation, every where,
Yet not a drop to administer.
It does administer, it does bike,
Should it also hike?

Athletics, however hard they try,
Will always be extracurricular.
Never forget the illicit and outside athletics.

How happy are fat aerobics!
Do aerobics make you shiver?
Do they?

# data[].attributes.body
My student, you inspire me to write.
I hate the way you prowl, slither and eat,
Invading my mind day and through the night,
Always dreaming about the grand poteat.

Let me compare you to a bad clover?
You are more yellow, fabulous and big.
Great storms whip the twiglets of October,
And autumntime has the sabulous sprigg.

How do I hate you? Let me count the ways.
I hate your lying personality.
Thinking of your high humour fills my days.
My hate for you is the vitality.

Now I must away with a cheerful heart,
Remember my large words whilst we're apart.

# data[].attributes.body
It is who I am,

I am different from

anybody and everybody.

I am not normal.

I start everyday,

the same as I was before.

No one can change me,

because I am

Me.

# data[].attributes.body
In the midst of a boss fight

I last saved hours ago

I’m consumed in a state of focus and anger

Thumping sounds behind me

I shudder and begin to turn my head

Piercing through the darkness

Standing without like a statue assuming a position to kill if it could move

Then he shifted

With a voice like that of a god descending to the earth

So powerful that it echos and vibrates the very walls around me

He says “brother mom says it's my turn to use the xbox.”

# data[].attributes.body
I have waited for this day

Too long I have waited

The xbox 2 finally arrived

I open the bot

To find a PS5

Rage fills my body

As I toss it at the wall

My body trembles with sadness

# data[].attributes.body
When she was a kid,

She smiled at her daddy when he told her good job

When she was a kid,

Her daddy would take her out for ice cream

When she was a kid,

She laughed with mommy

When she was a kid,

Her mommy put her art work on the fridge

Stones as Rocks...

When she grew up,

She got busy

When she grew up,

She figured out mommy and daddy aren’t always there

# data[].attributes.body
Her beauty makes it hard to ignore her.

Her marble brown eyes, wide and clear,

filled with hidden emotions.

I. Want. Her.

I love how her expressions seem glum,

Yet her eyes squint vigorously when she smiles.

I. Need. Her.

I love

her

Quietness

Elegance

Shyness

Her Foul Mouth

Is what I’m attracted to, unfortunately.

I don’t want to say I’m in love; it’s way too soon.

Although, I must say

I. Desire. Her.

I want to unlock

All her desires.

All her holes.

All her thoughts.

All her secrets.

Not to turn against her,

But to show her that I will always be genuine.

Never lie to her.

Wait…

I’m Lying~

That wouldn’t keep me happy.

I don’t need her.

I need myself.

I need to develop myself.

My true self.

I know I am something.

I know that I am the chosen one.

I will become something fantastic.

With or without her.

# data[].attributes.body
Darkness in light,

Something that shows fear of the world

Don’t grow,

I want you to know

Don’t grow,

Looks like a field of flowers

Reality is,

That deep dark hole

Free falling,

No idea where you’ll hit the bottom

You can dream,

Butterflies in the sun

It won’t be everything you've dreamed of

Just Listen.

Just Watch.

Just Breathe.

Just Life.

# data[].attributes.body
He wanders

Under the influence

With an expression of

Hopelessness and shame.

His blood mixes

With tears and filth

As he chokes on his

Own sorrows.

He falls heavily

Just a few feet away

From my house.

He looks up at the sky

Whispering to himself.

He whispers death.

I pray inwardly against his naive speech.

I declare this

Young man to break

Free from bondage.

I declare that he is released

From his generational curses

And wicked ties to his family history.

I declare that this young man

Is no longer forced to endure

rejection or abandonment.

That he is no longer

A nomad who wanders alone

suffering from frost and blisters.

I step away from my window

And rush downstairs to

Open the door.

I walk outside and

pulls the young man off

His knees and on his feet

And say to him.

His soul screams depression

Masked as anger and rage.

I say to him

You are absolutely

Nothing and you will

never become anything.

This is what you think.

I am here to tell you that

You will be set free.

# data[].attributes.body
snowy winter evening

A young pup

Cuddles the warm cat

# data[].attributes.body
I wait eagerly by my phone, not waiting for a text back from a family member or some lover

I’m waiting for a text from friends that I have never seen in person, from friends I’ve never

Hugged or invited to a birthday party.

They are friends I’ve met in chat rooms and in lobbies waiting to take on the world.

I prefer them over most of people I’ve met in real life,

Instead of leaving wicked winding wounds like everyone else they help me press on and go farther.

They have my back and I have their back.

We are a team,

A family,

A pack of lost souls, all chanting “one for all, all for one.”

We will see each other in the real world and finally be at peace.

# data[].attributes.body
I see you’ve forgotten.

Do I remember?

Of course I remember.

I hated you, deeply, unapologetically.

Memory recall, demon of remembrance,

Forcing me to backtrack, thinking about

The heartbreaking past.

I felt intense, unbearable emotions within.

Your slander and lack of compassion disgusts me.

Although, I am not the one to judge.

However, I was able to build off you all.

Learning about myself while surrounded by witches and warlocks.

My imperfection is a result of hatred toward you, and myself.

You are not perfect, allowing myself to understand your deceitful intentions.

Yet, I will never understand your wickedness or your seductive heart.

You have forgotten, but I still remember; of course I do.

Do I forgive?

Of course I forgive you.

# data[].attributes.body
I will b r e a k away from myself.

This will be my final night.

I will tear away the mask of lies that I have made.

This will be my final fight.

I will fly away on the wings of rebellion

This will be my first flight.

I stare at the pale moon, it’s light making the snow shine like diamonds.

The moon will be my guide

I hear the wind howl by like the sounds of angry people rioting against oppression

The wind will cover my cries.

# data[].attributes.body
I'm trapped in a cage
Waiting to be free
I wait long  days and cold night
But it's time for me to take what's mine
I can't wait anymore
I'm tired
The cage broke open
And I was free

# data[].attributes.body
Stay away

Stay away from me

A monster

Stay away, you wouldn’t understand

Each day is the same

Stressful, overwhelming, Chaotic.

Each day I hide myself inside a skin like yours

And each day you are always there to stay

Why?

Shouldn’t you be afraid?

Haven’t you heard?

I’m a monster.

A sinister smiler came

With his skin just like yours

He tore off my skin

With each word he spoke

To reveal a monster.

large tattered leather wings

ram horns

Black scaly skin

And yellow reptilian eyes

The smilers grin grew, and he left.

Around the corner you peeked

Are you afraid of me now?

What will you do now that you've seen?

Will you accept me or leave me?

Those fleshy hands of yours opened

And all I could do was cry.

# data[].attributes.body
The best thing to drink is water

It’s one of the bases of life

Water is like air and land

It keeps us together against the weather

Water,

Water.

Drink your heart out young child

This colorful blood is life and death

Drink.

Water,

Water.

# data[].attributes.body
Mornin’

Time for a bite

Small,

But tasty.

Time is running so

With haste

Everything,

Everything is possible…

The little things

Columbus taught me,

We want it and are grateful for it.

After my prayers

I lay the ocean for my feast

Two things that take no time to eat

Thank You

# data[].attributes.body
l Learn l

((Face-For_w_ard-FOREVER)R)r)r))

For nothing* is impossible if you know de wey ←

No-one it there → !unless! u’U’u are…

Reflect...lcelfeR

STOP.

TALK.

HEAR.

LISTEN.

I M A G I N E

I S

T O___D R E A M

# data[].attributes.body
OMG

Di_Va

()0n   -    line()

//Nerf < This

<winky> Face

Tight hold >< aNd sHUt

Love:; 5Dva

.Is of duh “best thing”s of

*l*i*f*e

# data[].attributes.body
I’m sorry it’s not my fault I swear

I know that I differ from everyone else

Sorry

I can’t focus

can’t talk

can’t think

I have emotions I can’t control

Yet why do I have friends

I don’t understand?

It’s funny don’t you think

Support from each side of the pole

Yet why doesn’t feel that way

Support, love, carness, friends family

Neglect, Pity, hatred, enemies

Why can’t I see it or feel it like you?

Have I sacrificed too much or to little?

# data[].attributes.headline
I’m not just some op, I’m a cop (A)And little do you realize I wear my badge and blue to protect you (B) But you say if you catch me off the clock on your block (A)That you and your crew know exactly what to do (B) Little do you realize that you were on your last strike three strikes ago (C)But I let you go so you wouldn’t have to call their phone and break the news (D)With your kids in the background asking mommy when daddy's coming home just to hear I don’t know (C)But that’s nothing new daddy made a promise, but he didn’t follow through leaving an ever lasting bruise (D)Yah to you I may just be a badge in blue, a basic op (E)Just another cop, but little did you know without me you’d never see your kids grow (F)Your homeboy would have got shot (E)You would've got locked up, four walls, rows of bars, awfully cold, all on your own (F) And your wife would be at home all alone (G)While your kids sit there and wonder why daddy never came home (G) 

# data[].attributes.subject
I’m not just some op, I’m a cop (A)And little do you realize I wear my badge and blue to protect you (B) But you say if you catch me off the clock on your block (A)That you and your crew know exactly what to do (B) Little do you realize that you were on your last strike three strikes ago (C)But I let you go so you wouldn’t have to call their phone and break the news (D)With your kids in the background asking mommy when daddy's coming home just to hear I don’t know (C)But that’s nothing new daddy made a promise, but he didn’t follow through leaving an ever lasting bruise (D)Yah to you I may just be a badge in blue, a basic op (E)Just another cop, but little did you know without me you’d never see your kids grow (F)Your homeboy would have got shot (E)You would've got locked up, four walls, rows of bars, awfully cold, all on your own (F) And your wife would be at home all alone (G)While your kids sit there and wonder why daddy never came home (G) 

# data[].attributes.headline
Listen and understand that I gave you the key to my heart I let you in with no hesitation… So listenI know I’m hard to love, trust me I know I don’t make it easybut just wait be quite and listenI never meant to lock you out so please don’t throw away the keyJust please hold on and listenRealize that love to me is so foreign…I don't even remember when you became so important  So listen to me when I scream and plead You are one of the best things to ever happen to me So hold on to that key It’ll just be you and me for the rest of eternity 

# data[].attributes.subject
Listen and understand that I gave you the key to my heart I let you in with no hesitation… So listenI know I’m hard to love, trust me I know I don’t make it easybut just wait be quite and listenI never meant to lock you out so please don’t throw away the keyJust please hold on and listenRealize that love to me is so foreign…I don't even remember when you became so important  So listen to me when I scream and plead You are one of the best things to ever happen to me So hold on to that key It’ll just be you and me for the rest of eternity 

# data[].attributes.headline
I was always there trying to be the perfect daughter I thought maybe just maybe if I could save her that everything would be so different, a little less of a blur She had an addiction and it was like two chained cuffs mentally and physically that she can’t get out ofOne moment everything was perfectly okay then like a bullet in a gun BANG all at once there it wasBut no one ever wanted to be the first to  bring it into conversation that she needed help She was falling so fast and no one was there to catch her I tried, I tried so hard  but the weight of her addiction was much stronger than I could ever be I’m tired of trying, I’m tired of fighting When she chose those needles and pills she put herself last, but I only ever put her first But if anyone ever asks she’s fine, I’m fine, everyone is FINE we’re picture perfect to be exactBut we neglect the fact that I need my mother My grades will begin to fall and when my teachers ask why I don't know what to say so I guess I’ll just lie I’m emotionally bruised, and physically broken down I don’t think anyone understands how much I tried to save her It hurts to look in the mirror and only see her big, dark, brown eyes looking back at me It hurts because all I ever wanted when I was young was to grow and be just like my mom It hurts because I was always told we were so similar but to me... myself I’m so unfamiliar She’s the one I need most but left me with the least Now I take a different path because she left me with no footsteps to follow I took hers as far as I could but now I walk next to hers beginning my own path

# data[].attributes.subject
I was always there trying to be the perfect daughter I thought maybe just maybe if I could save her that everything would be so different, a little less of a blur She had an addiction and it was like two chained cuffs mentally and physically that she can’t get out ofOne moment everything was perfectly okay then like a bullet in a gun BANG all at once there it wasBut no one ever wanted to be the first to  bring it into conversation that she needed help She was falling so fast and no one was there to catch her I tried, I tried so hard  but the weight of her addiction was much stronger than I could ever be I’m tired of trying, I’m tired of fighting When she chose those needles and pills she put herself last, but I only ever put her first But if anyone ever asks she’s fine, I’m fine, everyone is FINE we’re picture perfect to be exactBut we neglect the fact that I need my mother My grades will begin to fall and when my teachers ask why I don't know what to say so I guess I’ll just lie I’m emotionally bruised, and physically broken down I don’t think anyone understands how much I tried to save her It hurts to look in the mirror and only see her big, dark, brown eyes looking back at me It hurts because all I ever wanted when I was young was to grow and be just like my mom It hurts because I was always told we were so similar but to me... myself I’m so unfamiliar She’s the one I need most but left me with the least Now I take a different path because she left me with no footsteps to follow I took hers as far as I could but now I walk next to hers beginning my own path

# data[].attributes.body
Not so perfect,

Baby yeah your worth it,

Girl, come here,

I see your broken tears

Waterfall on ice

Your lookin’ real nice

Very good at disguising,

Baby your enticing

Can I get a taste

You make my heart race

# data[].attributes.body
You are a stranger,

She wonders why I,

I don’t trust no body,

Not even her.

I wonder if you could expand the poem some

# data[].attributes.body
His blue eyes

almost like staring deep

into the ocean

Pearly whites

when he smiles

bringing joy to everyone

Curly hair

deep dirty blonde

Soft silky and smooth

Childish humor

almost the same as mine

perfect personality

# data[].attributes.body
Beautiful blue eyes

Soft, curly, dirty blonde hair

Bright whites when he smiles

# data[].attributes.body
Heres the thing about my life

Days and nights are burdened

I look over just to see a knife

Now my thoughts are turnin

It’s not something i could do

My family, they’d be hurtin

But sorrow can make your mind walk

To darkness so in turn I

Put some music on to pass the time

Get those dark thoughts all off my mind

Talk to her and tell her my thoughts inside

“Its okay to not be okay”

But “Men who show feelings are gay”

“But you're not, you have me”

“I know, there's no happier I could be”.

# data[].attributes.body
Some people think with feelings

Others think with thought

It’s hard to figure the real things

Are people real or fake?

Are they who you thought or not?

Chances are they use you

They see your kindness

Mistake it for weakness

So you cut back

Your heart becomes black

Now it is love that you lack.

# data[].attributes.body
Memes oh i love memes

Oh you don’t?

Whatchu mean?

Your humor ain’t pristine

Why don’t you like memes?

Memes oh i love memes

They help

When people mean

They make me feel pristine

How could you not like memes?!

Memes oh i love memes

Rip Vine

Come back i miss you mane

You made me feel sane

How could you not like memes… mane?!

# data[].attributes.body
Are you sure I’m awake?

because I feel like I’m dreaming

I know this can’t be a mistake

yet my smile is still beaming

I think I’m in love

this is what happiness feels like

he is the only thing I refuse to let go of

it is worth the hype

he makes me feel perfect

with him I am stronger

with him everything is worth it

wish I could be with him longer

forever in love with him

never going to let go of him

# data[].attributes.body
Walking down the path of unspoken feelings

much can be seen.

How does a rabbit know to run from loud and harsh things,

but stays still with gentler, quiet things?

Stay like a rabbit.

Running from the sound of yelling.

Staying quiet and hidden behind the closed door.

Hide from the loud and crashes

Remember,

Headphones in.

Music up.

Block out the world.

Forget yourself.

Stay like a rabbit,

and learn to survive

# data[].attributes.body
Give a poppy to those who wait

Show them how you emulate

the way it’s petals sway to a fro in the wind

with the flick of a brush.

Give a poppy to those who wait

Let them hear how the petals fall

in a calm stream

with a slow tempo and a string.

Give a poppy to those who wait

Give them art in which that satisfies

show the beauty as it dies

with a paper and a string.

Give a poppy to those who wait

Bring beauty and love

to a world otherwise without.

# data[].attributes.body
trudging along the

lilac and daisy filled path

capturing beauty

# data[].attributes.body
Continue to hope

for someday good will appear

amidst the dead leaves

# data[].attributes.body
“Come find me”

Whispers in the wind will help you

I’ll be in the trees and captured on lenses

Helping open your senses

“Come find me”

Sunlight will illuminate the path

I’ll be in the sound of strings

Keeping pace of the pencil sketching

“You found me”

I’m the sound of music in silence

I’m where the river falls off the frame

Just remember to call my name

# data[].attributes.body
Fearful lonely nights

Words banging inside my mind

Fearful lonely nights

Not even thinking

But like birds learning to fly

Hastingly decide

# data[].attributes.body
The carousel never stops spinning

We never stop learning

We never stop growing

Time never STOPS

The lessons don’t stop coming

The heartbreaks don’t stop happening

We find ourselves a year later either regretting what we’ve done or enjoying what we have

But either way life keeps going

Like the sun rising every morning

And the moon glowing every night

Whether a good day or a bad day

The bed never fails to call out to you every night

It is then when you can pour out your thoughts and feelings

A time to reminisce

But the next morning will never stop coming

Your alarm will never stop shaking you awake

The problems will never stop haunting you

But it is then when you must decide what type of person you will be

After all,

The carousel never stops spinning

# data[].attributes.body
I was the “gay kid” who wasn’t “gay”.

I was the loser who never lost

I was the winner who never won

I was neutral, believing lies about me that were never true.

Thrown down stairs age six, getting back up fierce to cry afterwards.

Laughed at age seven, growing emotion to stay fierce, to cry afterwards.

Emotionless at age twelve, staying fierce for myself, crying alone for everyone else.

Holding hope to cope so selling dope isn’t an option as is for many

Laughing at age fifteen, just to cry the next second, and be angry afterwards.

Bipolar disorder.

All emotions clashing heavily on my barely beating broken heart.

I am better.

I am better.

I am better.

At the best I could ever be, age seventeen. Bold with depression on hold and my life on resume as it was once on pause. Crying at the bare minimum. Because life goes on and the upcoming will always be upcoming and unpredicted.

# data[].attributes.body
Mother gone from the kitchen table, her voice piercing in my ears

like nails against a chalkboard.

“You’ll be fine. I’m coming home legalized” she said, crying.

The biggest dream we as a whole withhold was the legalization to her citizenship.

I wanted to speak more but the intercom spoke sooner. Departure was in five.

Mother got through the monitors and the bag checks, ready to come back to us.

She mouthed words to us, we all picked up that her last words to us were “they wont let me back”

We got a simple wave from her as it scarred worse than a cut against my body.

Months after months, I pass by laundry with her items in them, crying as I lay broken in the mid day.

“Mother come home” was a sentence I spoke once every prayer. Mother said god won't respond but he will listen. The joy on my face, two nights before christmas day.

Knock,

Knock,

Knock.

K n o c  k.

I open the door, frozen by this token given to my family that night.

Mother.

# data[].attributes.body
Freedom is an illusion

How dare I starve for perfection?

And the red flows on to please them

Because I deserve this

I deserve it because air fills my lungs and a beating heart lives on

I thought I was fixed

But I was fixed on the idea that I was broken

Inevitable

Stuck in a room full of people like me

Nine days

Succumbing into fear like a child in the night

The metronome in my head

It's okay. It's okay. Its okay.

# data[].attributes.body
When the moon shines bright and the stars twinkle in the distance

A cry

A mournful, excruciating cry

For she saw herself in the mirror and that’s not who she was

Who is that?

Tears suffocate her broken heart

Realization

That’s not who she is, nor who she wants to be

Freedom is an idea she does not possess

So she walks

And she finds a home not far from her heart

# data[].attributes.body
Waiting for a call in the wind

Wind taps against her skin for the window is no more

Broken glass underneath the window pane

The anger built up and all control was lost

Impatient

The breeze outside feels nice today

But she doesn’t feel it

For her mind is set upon the destiny it has chosen

Stumbling towards an unrealistic goal

He’s here

In all his glory

The man who took her soul

She was waiting for him to change

He didn’t

The soft touch of his hand made her remember

And she fled for she didn’t need the pain

The pain of waiting for someone to change

When she

Is a powerful woman who doesn’t need to wait

For someone to change

# data[].attributes.body
I Promise

For when the sea crashes upon the shore

My heart will yearn for nothing but forgiveness

I Promise

When my last breath is taken from my body

And the last light in this long corridor of depression flickers off

I will still be a memory

I Promise

You’ll sing of woe but when all is said and done

Its okay

I Promise

To you

that this distant feeling will be filled with whom you find true

And that’s okay

I’m Sorry

I wasn’t everything you were looking for in this cold cruel world

But I still can be with you, in spirit, nonetheless

I Promise

I am free

# data[].attributes.body
I Promise

For when the sea crashes upon the shore

My heart will yearn for nothing but forgiveness

I Promise

When my last breath is taken from my body

And the last light in this long corridor of depression flickers off

I will still be a memory

I Promise

You’ll sing of woe but when all is said and done

Its okay

I Promise

To you

that this distant feeling will be filled with whom you find true

And that’s okay

I’m Sorry

I wasn’t everything you were looking for in this cold cruel world

But I still can be with you, in spirit, nonetheless

I Promise

I am free

# data[].attributes.body
There are times where I could sleep,

Nap or daydream all day.

Sleepy days I call them.

When friends are busy

Stuck at home.

Messy room and boredom.

Sleepy days I call them.

Watch movies all day long

Find new music artist.

Sleepy days I call them.

# data[].attributes.body
Tears running rapidly down my flushed pale face,

Eyes swollen, vision blurred, third time's a charm.

Tears dripping ,

Drip -     drop

Drop -     drip

Drip -       drop

Lovers lane looping round’ with late hot dates and their skates.

Circling around, bright light smashing me like a boulder falling on a banana.

Everyone staring, stars looping, lovers gather

I’m middle man, crying at my mistake coming single on mingle night.

No lady was every ready to mingle with this single.

# data[].attributes.body
Tears running rapidly down my flushed pale face,

Eyes swollen, vision blurred, third time's a charm.

Tears dripping ,

Drip -     drop

Drop -     drip

Drip -       drop

Lovers lane looping round’ with late hot dates and their skates.

Circling around, bright light smashing me like a boulder falling on a banana.

Everyone staring, stars looping, lovers gather

I’m middle man, crying at my mistake coming single on mingle night.

No lady was every ready to mingle with this single.

# data[].attributes.body
Silently in the dark

Staring off into the night

Scenery so perfect, in the quiet, silent park

Slight insomnia, but we knew we’d be all right

Summer was the season we’d found out we had found our perfect hearts

Sprinting through the damp, muddy grass with big droplets of water covering us whole

Speaking with only our eyes, our minds searching for a way to start

Sitting high up, the stars shining so bright while the moon opens our souls

# data[].attributes.body
Bare feet, Grass itches

Cool breezes carry flower scents

Sun sets, empty fields.

# data[].attributes.body
Thunder stomps upstairs

Rain thrashes against the house

Ironically calm.

# data[].attributes.body
With the attitude of Beyonce.

Confident and cocky?

Though occasionally fraile.

Full of witty remarks, smiles, and kindness.

Humble,

since the world was blessed with my existence.

Viewpoints are important.

Impressions made, with a larger variety of characteristics.

For I am answer “d” on the test bubble sheet,

as in- all of the above.

# data[].attributes.body
This wasteland of negativity has become my paradise.

Everywhere I go, I find my travel agent.

Her name is “Conscience” and though I think we’re close friends

I think she likes others more than myself. I don’t blame her.

After all, they care most about her.

She’s been sick for years and time after time, they’ve been her support group.

But the joke’s on her, because what she thinks is her IV, positioned by them

is nothing but a bag filled with a diluted poison,

sugary sweet -

that's been slowly dripping into her torpid arms.

Like radiation her disease has plagued onto me.

It is a torment of deprecation.

Despite my weakening, I have adapted to my new perspective.

But even when the torment is pouring down, there’s still a glowing sun.

A ray of hope.

One day I will be healthy again and I will escape this island of misery.

# data[].attributes.body
I survived these lonely nights of solitude.

Night after night, eyes wide.

Thoughts of fear and loneliness, scrambling through my mind.

Emotions raging to be released from their prison.

Tonight.

Tonight, I’m feeling fine.

The chain of repetition has been broken, no longer wandering in circles.

I survived the darkness, while these walls of steel fell.

Because just when I began to wave my white flag, you saved me.

You reminded me, who I was meant to be.

A purpose, once again.

Dark nights guided by the gleaming of your smile.

I was illuminated to my redemption.

Because of you, I am no longer who I was.

Because who I was, was not me.

Once, a lost-- wandering soul. But now I am lively again.

# data[].attributes.body
Good bye, see you later, talk to you soon

Sadness, tears, pain

I wanna scream but nothing seems to come out

I wanna kick I wanna fight, I wanna do it with all my might

But wait.

I see the light

But its like were ten thousand miles apart

It speaks words of wisdom but I can't let it be

Why do I still feel this way?

I smile

I laugh

Im happy

Or am I still hidden behind this mask I hold

So cold

This mask I hold

I hold the mask of lies

I'll be there for you when the rain starts to poor

My love is an open door

With you,

With me,

With me,

With you what will I be

The day ends, and with it bends, the light in the sky

The light I live by

The light I need when I cry

Now all I see is  darkness

But why?

Talk to you soon, see you later, Goodbye

# data[].attributes.body
My Insides

the depths of me

way down

how do i know

anything is there

why do i trust them

they control me

but keep me safe

they aid to my every need

they have never

failed me

and so

i try

my best

to protect them

# data[].attributes.body
Female, I am Female with a mind full of wonders as wide as the night sky.

Yet, you fear.

Call me naive. Depress my ego.

Try, I dare you.

Because afterall you will fail.

Because I guaranteed myself a life of success

and no one will impede.

My goals and aspirations nothing less

than mere promises owed to myself.

# data[].attributes.body
Good bye, see you later, talk to you soon

Sadness, tears, pain

I wanna scream but nothing seems to come out

I wanna kick I wanna fight, I wanna do it with all my might

But wait.

I see the light

But its like were ten thousand miles apart

It speaks words of wisdom but I can't let it be

Why do I still feel this way?

I smile

I laugh

Im happy

Or am I still hidden behind this mask I hold

So cold

This mask I hold

I hold the mask of lies

I'll be there for you when the rain starts to poor

My love is an open door

With you,

With me,

With me,

With you what will I be

The day ends, and with it bends, the light in the sky

The light I live by

The light I need when I cry

Now all I see is  darkness

But why?

Talk to you soon, see you later, Goodbye

# data[].attributes.body
The Day

Rise and shine, to grind out the day.

Onward I go, towards the show.

Everyday you know, I do my best to go.

Please give me a chance, go ahead -- let me prance.

Efficient I spend it, mostly independent.

Let me go on with my day, on earth -- here I stay.

# data[].attributes.body
you were everything in my heart,

your rosy ruffle romper stuck to your skin like magnets.

your skin as tan as the sand, in between our toes.

i lay at home wondering where the time flew when we were just kids, mid july.

wondering upon the sky hoping you'd see the next day or the sun rise.

a virus killing you like kryptonite killing superman,

my hero wasn't superman, my hero never wore a cape or was the size of an ape

my hero was the woman in room o’ two, fighting the kryptonite before it bites

the beeping stops

A tear drips, my vision unclear, your mind on mine but our bodies unlatched.

we grew older knowing kryptonite was cancer and our love was fraud,

I’ll never forgive you leaving, but I’ll cherish the long run and the fighting.

Superman could never do what you did.

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The Lake

See the waves splash up

Up upon the beach they crash

Rays of sun glisten

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The Day Begins

When does the day truly begin

We

ArE

aWaKe

WhIlE

oThErS

aRe

At

ReSt

Begin truly day the does when

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Ope    ned the window, pull the screen out.

Put music on and turned the lights off.

We had our bags packed.

We slipped through the dark.

My neighbors are outside Smoking.

Snuck out the backyard.

Laughter e c  h   o    e     d through the empty streets.

We went to our old school.

Stories went on and on and on.

The field was coated in dew.

We sat on frozen benches.

Gave an insight on what we missed

You told me something I had Feared.

Reminded you I’m always here.

Came back before the sun set.

The next morning got breakfast,

Planned for the next time.

You moved out of town.

We lost touch.

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Standing from behind the counter

Watching, waiting, wilting.

Kernels stuck to the bottom of my shoes

I really don’t feel like sweeping.

Even when I buy expressos,

I still am depresso.

“Hey, will you switch shifts with me.”

I can’t come in, I’m dead.

Don’t complain about the prices,

Please take it up with corporate.

I don’t get paid enough

For your attitude

Today’s not the day

Or really any day for that matter.

# data[].attributes.body
The love of my life

The candle to light my fire

I cant put her out

Hopes of big money

Dreams of a perfect marriage

All pieces to our puzzle

I promise to never let her down

It kills me when all i see is frown

A compliment is all it takes

And that perfect smile

Is once again on a familiar face

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Her perfect hazel blue eyes

Her kiss is like an instant memory

she's my only one.

# data[].attributes.body
Putting down invisible footsteps,

Across a vast land, feet have been planted

No proof, only memories

# data[].attributes.body
Being on the road

I was so far from home

All i see for miles is trees

Multiple stops had to be made

During the ride we sat in the back and played games

Eventually making fun got old

We’d lay head to toe for 4 hours

In that time the ground became covered in snow

20 min away from anticipation

We made it

Without any contemplations

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Two keys on a ring,

to which they all lie in the same pocket

kept safe, and hidden

no one key wants to be found,

yet either be lost

Keys that unlock,

unlocking not secrets but life

a brighter future

and furthering and education

when each key is brought together

put into a tumbler

and swiftly turned at the same time

revealing beauty

inside awaits a whole lifetime worth of

sacrifice, love, and commitment

# data[].attributes.body
I am sick of the debate

Others getting a choice in what I can do

When they barely even let me have a voice.

These decisions do not affect them

They affect me

Yet they still demand that I bow at their feet

Yes they can have an opinion, to make it heard is their choice

But why the hell should they be ones given the voice.

I am told I am wrong

That I shouldn’t live how I want

Because someone else’s opinion is that it’s sin

That my identity is false

THere are some that will not call me by my name

All because they think there’s something wrong with my brain

They think my body defines me

What shapes it has

What's between my legs

But it doesn’t affect them

So why should they get a say

Why should someone else get a choice about my body

When that choice does not affect them

I don’t care if they think it’s immoral

For me to not care if I love a boy or a girl

That does not affect them

Now I don’t mean to seem rude,

Oh wait perhaps I do

They throw rocks and bricks and slurs our way

THey can’t even let us have one day

To be who we are, without affecting them

Why do rich white men in some big white house

Get to decide who I can have as my spouse

YOu think it’s immoral

That’s too bad for you

I shouldn’t have to live by your book and it’s rules

Why do we have to scream and fight

Just to secure and protect our basic rights

I’m sick of you trying to force your beliefs into my brain

I’m sick of seeing parents who would rather have their child dead than gay

You think it’s just an opinion

But it couldn’t kill YOU

I can’t walk down the street holding someone one’s hand

I can not tell others that despite my body, I am a man

Because some who hear that or some who see

Would love to chase me down and beat or kill me.

Your opinion should not rule my human rights

THere is nothing wrong with me

I should be able to live my own life.

Device 1 Volume while reading the poem I influence how loud and how I am saying things to better show my feelings

Device 2 Repetition, I use the word I a lot in this poem as well as stating who things affect multiple times.

Device 3 Tone, this poem very clearly shows my views towards the subjects discussed and overall portrays my frustration.

Device 4 Theme, this poem uses the theme of self discovery as it works to explain how someone who has started to explore and discover themself is cut off and limited.

# data[].attributes.body
The angel entered the tall open window

White wings glowing in moonlight

leaned over and looked at the sleeping form inside

Dried tears clung to his pillow.

She saw the young boy’s soul cry.

The angel came back in the daylight

Checking to see if he was alright

But instead of the sad and crying boy she’d seen

She saw the mask he wore for the world

She looked on as the boy played

And learned

And talked

And grew,

The more she watched the more she was sure,

She had to let the little boy be true.

His family and peers couldn’t see who he was inside

They all thought of a different version of him

And what none of them knew

Or maybe cared to know

Was that the little girl they played with

Wasn’t true

She knew in her mind and in her heart

Just as the angel had seen

That he was a boy in mind and in soul

Finally he started to take off his mask

And show others who he was inside

He’d never expected

The wonderful feeling

Of not ever having to again hide.

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Five letters

The community I did not choose to be apart of

None of use choose our identity or who we love

The label is thrown around by those debating our rights

While we just cling to each other during the fight

Four letters

They bring so many different fights

They make it true that my body is not right

But one day it will be

Until then I stand tall and proud with our flag on my pin.

Three letters

Standing for a big change

A change to what I’m called

A change of my name.

First last middle

No initial stays the same.

Two Letters

A name for people who love like me

Who love for what’s in someone's heart

Instead of what’s between their thighs

Yet somehow we have still been demonized in the public's eyes

To cheaters and greedy

Just pick one they say

Don’t be so needy

One Letter

Sixth in the alphabet

Staring at me on so many things

It tells everyone about my body

Not my mind

It has no business being there

Being the reason someone will call me a pretty young lady

Instead of a handsome young man.

Zero letters

No one letter  Or one word

Could ever truly describe me.

Instead these labels and letters are like chains

Binding me to stereotypes,   and other lies if this world.

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Screaming, screeching, clawing

No one hears a thing

He claws at the dark walls caging him in

Bleeding, wounded, crying.

All the outsiders are blind

He makes calls for help

Silence is his only return.

Inside is him

They only see her

Her body, their memories, it is his cage

He cries to be known

She never was there

He’s always been there

Hidden by her

Screeching, scrambling, stammering

He makes his way out

Into the known.

He is finally embraced by the light

# data[].attributes.body
there once was a lizard named mac

he had very scaly back

he liked to hangout in his hammock

And he had a very cool paddock

where he kept his horse, named clack

# data[].attributes.body
Snow

Snow falls down on me

Sun shines through the trees brightly

Mixing to blind me

Ice

Ice slopes slip and slide

Glistening snow all around

Warmth is found nowhere

--chilled

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School was always easy to me

Until it wasn’t

I was the top of my class in elementary school

Which does not really matter

But then I was not

It was hard

It was difficult

New school more challenge

Teachers that were not helpful

Peers that were not helpful

No one was helpful

Change, once more

A new, final? school

Not easy, but not difficult

Just right

I learn things that intrigue me

Things that apply

Things that make sense

You must try

Multiple times

(Fail)

Multiple Times

Before you find your space

(Before you succeed)

# data[].attributes.body
friendships come and friendships go

times change and people grow

friends leave for reasons good and bad

some friendships are bad

some need to go

they damage you

and end other, good friendships

some friendships are good

they may stay forever

they may end quietly

but you will always be glad they were there

# data[].attributes.body
Doing what I know

Which is playing softball

Every day, I practice from dusk until dawn wanting to get better

For the day has come when I am no longer just at Junior league

I have talent and now I play with the older league.

With my natural talents no one will play against me

I throw like a man and make people cry.

Such is the nature of a stiff throw.

# data[].attributes.body
I’m just a radio,

On my own channel

With a select few

Who come and go

Browsing through the rest

Sometimes coming into range of others

I’m just a radio in search of someone who’s going to listen.

# data[].attributes.body
Moments tucked deep in my memory,

not to be remembered until my last breath.

Hoping, praying to see them again.

Wishing they would take the place,

of the memories that now drown me.

Choking me on my own tears

Sucking my every breath away

The memories I wish would flee

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drip drip drip

Drop

Oceans seap

as I weep

Tears hit my pillow

All I want is a hug

but

Loneliness has taken me

He told me tales of Truth:

(or so I believed)

“You are not good enough!”

“You do not belong!”

“You are a disappointment!”

suddenly the voices stop

and a song begins to play

It sings to me a joyful tune and tells me to believe.

(in myself)

drip drip drip

Drop

-love

# data[].attributes.body
the piercing

C

O

L

D

wind exposed to my face
the earth

S W A D

D L E D

in the snows embrace
the cold icy

ROCK

that has been there ages
the frozen lake now touched by the family
the

T

O

R

N

apart family no longer separated
now just a memory no longer gone

# data[].attributes.body
Bet your counselor doesn’t Have a fix to this,
Wanting to tell everyone to go rest in piss
Being so angry you raise a shaking fist
Trying to trust,
Though everything eventually turns to rust
There’s no excuse,
This world is never ending abuse.

# data[].attributes.body
I sit on a bench
holding the note
feeling a fall in the pit of my stomach
he is gone, gone forever no return
never to be seen again

my father to old
my son to young
but my love just right

my children fatherless
no leader
no lover
no longer

how do i tell them
what do i say
how will they take
why this day

like a knife in my stomach being twisted back and forth
like a rope around my throat slowly taking my breath
the demons slowly clouding my head

i begin to walk home
not know where to go

i silently pray to god in my head
thinking of my children in their bed
crying themselves to sleep

my children with remorse
wishing they head said i love you once more
only a single tear shed

i'll miss you forever
i'll see you once more
until then my love

# data[].attributes.body
The weight of the words

Bring me to the floor

My cousin knocking on the door

Salty tears run down my cheeks

Wishing I could erase

The memories I can no longer face

Told over the phone

Thought I had to go it alone

Information not theirs to share

Invading the privacy beyond repair

The reminders everyware

The public new more than I

The news to blame

Simply for the fame

100 hours through a lens

To small to see

Onto a hidden screen

The broken mistrust
Of 64 girls, young and old

The coach with a heart so cold

My family wanted me to confide
But all I wanted to do was hide

Month after month, I had to return

To the building I wish would just burn

The reminders will never end

Of the story I wish was pretend

# data[].attributes.body
I feel it inside of me

I try to push it down

I tell it to just go away

Because I am okay now

But it does not listen

It is power

And has a mind of its own

It won’t leave me alone

I am strong,

I am power,

Here I stand in the sand

And shout to you:

Today is today,

Tomorrow is tomorrow,

I will not be controlled

Go, Go, GO!

-me

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Uploaded by Alex Campione on 2018-02-09.

# data[].attributes.body
Struggle is the training to grow

Struggle is the life you live

There's no pain unless you think it

Only your mind can determine the outcome

Only “you” can tell yourself what to do

Food, what you eat

Food, what you make

What you make is a meal that you take to others in need

If there's a time and a place

You do the race

Poor

Pain

Closure

Come closer

Look closely and read my eyes

And seek the glory

Now is this a surprise?

That's something you're gonna have to ask yourself

# data[].attributes.body
Working working working

Never for myself but for others

Their orders barking barking barking

One day after another and another

Any kind of appreciating absorbing absorbing

Never able to discover

For what I have been yearning

Now I must do for myself and no other

# data[].attributes.body
Depressing Nightfall

An absence empty hands hide

Watching time pass by

A nocturnal life

One once overwhelmed taken

Like an empty void

# data[].attributes.body
Depressing Nightfall

An absence empty hands hide

Watching time pass by

A nocturnal life

One once overwhelmed taken

Like an empty void

# data[].attributes.body
Seven

Crappy

Hours

Of

Our

Lives

We spend our lives in these buildings,

for seven hours a day,

5 days a week,

9 months of out a year,

12 years of our life.

We wonder what we would do if we had our time back,

but there is no way to tell what we would have done.

Sometimes some of us never know what to do.

Some of us are so bored we would have more fun watching grass grow.

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Every emotion like a hit from a bus

There isn’t happy, only elated

There isn’t content, only distrust

Balance is unknown, everything so weighted

I feel anger with every small fuss

There isn’t sadness, only myself deflated

There isn’t hate, only disgust

It isn’t just grief, but a burning fire activated

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Just departing from work under a moonlit sky,

I insisted on fetching my brother.

The rain continued to pour as is had been,

since the beginning of my three hour shift.

Down this slick isolated road I drive,

unaware of what was to come.

Arriving at the destination I parked,

my brother soon appearing.

He fills the passenger seat

as I select music before shifting to drive.

Seven.

Stop sign

Six.

I look left to right as I only make small talk

Five.

Drip drop, the rain slows

Four.

Conga lines of cars, one after another,

Seeming endless

Three.

A car seemingly waves me through.

Two.

I look to my right and take off to turn left

One.

White noise… was all I could hear

To my right I see my brother

Panicked and scared he looks to me

All I can do is say everything is okay

I call my parents and inform them of the accident

Ending the call I gaze to my left to be greeted with an airbag

My door so crunched I could not escape this machine

The rain had stopped.

As if I had stepped into the spotlight

And the witnesses were my audience

# data[].attributes.body
I played the violin

You always called to tell me of the orchestras you heard

Always told me to never give up

Be as free as the air itself

With this wooden instrument I play a song

Now that you have passed

Where is my motivation?

My passion seemed to have died alongside you

Until today

I have to find the passion once more

So i shall play once again

As you would have wanted it that way