"In the end, it's not going to matter how many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away." -Shing Xiong *** "Do not go where the path may lead; instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson *** "Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget." -G. Randolf *** "We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." -E.M. Forster *** "Imagnination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited, imagination encircles the world." -Albert Einstein *** Defintion of Suburbia: A place where they cut down trees and name streets after them. -(Unknown, found on sticker) :p *** "A lie goes halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." -Winston Churchill***"Love is the irresistible desire to be desired irresistibly." -Louis Ginsberg ***"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." -Martin Buber



Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Until (a poem)

Until
Written December 28th, 2011
The candle burns until the wick is gone
A pen writes until it’s out of ink
The moon floats until the first light of dawn
A ship sails the ocean until its sinks

The stars sparkle until they explode
A man is rich until he’s spent his gold
The message remains a secret until one breaks the code
A child doesn’t know until he’s told

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Beneath the Fairy Lights (a poem)

Beneath the Fairy Lights
Written December 20th, 2011
The soft fairy lights
Make the midnight room glow
Like the love of a heart
Or an infant’s smile
The wall is sprinkled with rainbow reflections
And the shadows of the dim room
Hold no malice

Wrapped in the comforting season,
A child lies in soft slumber
The glittering colors
Alighted softly on his cheek
As if brought by the soft sigh
Of a passing breeze
His eyelids flutter with dreams

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

A Shooting Star (a poem)

A Shooting Star
Written November 8th, 2011
You breathed life into my lungs
Took my hand and lifted me from the ashes
You dripped sweet poison into my veins
And burnt me down into nothing

You gave me everything I hoped for
I finally had something to believe in
Now you’re just a whisper on a passing wind
And I don’t know you anymore

You sparked fire in my soul
Saved me from a desolate past
You drowned me in freezing water
And demolished my future

Friday, November 4, 2011

The Love of a Friend (a poem)

The Love of a Friend
Written November 4th, 2011
In the times where life takes the guise
Of an endless hell
When I’ve reached my wit’s end
And my frustration continues to swell
In those moments when I’m beyond stressed
I can still smile and carry on
And say that I’m truly blessed

Oblivion (a poem)

Oblivion
Written October 30th, 2011
The music fills the air around me
I can see the beat pulsing free
The particles vibrating
Dancing, quaking, shaking in time
Pupils dilate
Fingers tap, feet thump

The sound waves flood my ears
And smash through my drums
Fill my head and embrace my brain
The rhythm singes the synapses
And sets fire to my burning neurons
I shiver as electric currents
Sizzle down my spine

We Won't Give Up (a poem)

We Won't Give Up
Written October 26th, 2011
The forest glows with color
Filling our eyes with vibrant yellows
The air around us full of cascading leaves
Our laughter rises with the soft earth aromas
A sweet misty rain falls upon us
Racing through the trees
We burst into our awaiting refuge
Before we turn blue and freeze

The house creaks beneath our feet
Our delighted chatter echoes down the halls
The smell of old books fills the rooms
Paintings of summer cover the walls
A friendly warmth spreads and glows
Encompassing our hearts
And chasing the frost from the windows

Late at night on the porch
A chill wind flies
And the lake kisses the shore
Whispering of love and hope
The trees sigh softly as the sleep
Swaying contentedly in their dreams
The moon climbs higher
On the lake surface her lovely face gleams

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Midnight Rain (a poem)

Midnight Rain
Written October 14th, 2011
Sweet velvet rain
Pattering on my roof
Sing me softly to sleep

The gentle whispers
Reach my ears
As you travel in swirling rivulets
Across the shingles
Of this midnight house

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

A Lucky Burden (a short story)

 A Lucky Burden
Written October 12th, 2011
Farmer Joseph made his rounds in the early morning as he always did, delivering to all his animals their breakfasts. First the cows, then the horses, followed by the sheep, chickens, and ending with the pigs.
            As he poured the slop into the pig trough, he watched one swine in particular trot over. It grunted as it walked and snuffed at the smell of food in the air with his slimy, whiskery nose. This certain pig could be identified by his front right hoof, which was pearly white, unlike the remaining three black hooves. Although Joseph called that pig many names, mostly cuss words, its official moniker was Runt. He had been a runt at one point, but now he was two years old and the fattest pig Joseph owned.
            Runt had been the sixteenth piglet of Old Maizy’s sixteenth litter; her last litter. She had died a few hours after giving birth, her seasoned heart unable to withstand the stress. Joseph had been quite fond of Old Maizy, and although he knew it to be irrational, he blamed Runt for her demise.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The Ice Tyrant (a poem)

The Ice Tyrant
Written October 5th, 2011
The mighty trees burst into flames
Their last stand as forest warriors
Against the sweeping shadows cast by the Ice Queen
Leaves of ember rain upon the ground
And a vibrant wildfire spreads abound
Across the rolling, tumbling hills
Reaching the distant glowing horizon
The warriors crash like a firework meteor
Lighting up the world before descending into brown

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Montville Falls (review, rating)

Montville Falls
Moravia, NY
Hiked: September 25th, 2011
Reviewed: October 2nd, 2011
Interaction: 5 stars
Scenery: 4 stars
Diversity: 2 stars
Accessability: 2 stars
Size: small
Overall: 4 stars

This is an exhilarating, interactive hike that is about ninetry percent creek-walking with no defined trail. However, it is ranked as a difficult hike, and rightfully so. The hiker accesses Mill Creek through on of two cemetaries. We reached it via Section 9 of Indian Mound Cemetary, and began our descent near a large tombstone labeled C.A. Parker.

 Indian Mound Cemetary entrance

Seasonal Spirit (a poem)

Seasonal Spirit
Written October 1st, 2011
The cold surrounds a small house
Moving in with surprising, silent speed
Fingers of frost reach across the window pane
A warm orange glow radiates from the other side
A family gathered around a friendly hearth
Holding back the cold and keeping it tame
With mugs of steaming cocoa at their side
And loaves of toasty pumpkin bread
Fresh from the stove; they keep good mirth

The children huddle on the floor of blankets
Proud parents on the couch holding each other
Looking on with a quiet smile
The cat perches on a shoulder
And the large dog squeezes into a lap
As they smile and laugh they seem not to notice
That outside it only gets colder

Waiting on the Shore (a poem)

Waiting on the Shore
Written October 1st, 2011
Icy September water
Sighs softly as it kisses the shore
Pitch black from the touch
Of a tense, starless night
The water swirls, rolling, undulating,
Lapping at my feet

A breeze rushes by
Lifting and tossing my hair
So it can touch my neck;
Soft, exposed, and vulnerable
Leaving a sinister whisper in my ears
A secret I can’t quite decipher

Little Brother (a poem, a dedication)

Little Brother
Written September 18th, 2011
Little brother
Chase me around the house
Jump and tackle
Trying to take me down
Push my homework
Out of your way
Scatter papers across the floor
Unplug my game
Right when I was about to win
Then stand there and look at me
With that lopsided grin

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Fade Away (a poem)

Fade Away
Written September 24th, 2011
Summer fades away
Carried off by a sweeping breeze
That sparks a tingling on my skin
And stirs a strange sensation within

The world's bright menagerie of colors
Age and descend into shades of umber
The morning air nips and the forest falls silent
As though everything is easing into slumber

I stand here and watch it all
With a weary sigh
Crumble to ash and fall
I can see the time passing by

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Frozen Mornings (a poem)

Frozen Mornings
Written September 18th, 2011
The house retains a serpentine chill
That slithers down into the bones
It seeps out from the stone walls
And up through the icy wooden floors
That sting defenseless bare feet

We emerge from our sleep weary and worn
As though we never slept at all
Our knuckles swollen and slow
Inflated from the serpentine cold
We hide away beneath warm blankets
And pretend we never woke

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Stained (a poem)

Stained
Written July 18th, 2011
A familiar pair of eyes
Stare out at me from the computer screen
An image from the life you’re living
This very moment, somewhere, without me

And there’s this sinking feeling
Way down deep in my innermost core
I can’t look away from your face
While I remember the loss of something that could have been more

I can’t help but wonder if you think of me
If you reminisce and miss what we had
On the cold and rainy days
The days I used to keep you warm

Cycles of Change (a poem)

Cycles of Change
Written September 17th, 2011
We continue to spin around this star
Time rolls on
And makes us who we are

There’s this chill settling in the air
Reaching in to embrace my bones
And a whimsical breeze tosses my hair
As it whispers cold sinister secrets

There are crows dancing in our streets
And the ones who regret their lives
Look on with wide eyes of fear
They aren’t ready to die, not now, not here

There are crystals in my lungs
As I inhale the glass in the air
A layer of frost prickles my tongue
Everything is changing again

Friday, September 16, 2011

Dark Boy (a poem)

Dark Boy
Written September 14th, 2011
Dark boy
Lurking in the shadows
With glowing mischief eyes
Creeping up on me

Dark boy
You speak with a voice
Inviting and deep
That fills my bones

Dark boy
You smile like an imp
Lopsided and alluring
That pulls my gravity

Dark boy
You laugh with fire
Crackling with warm temptation
That glows on my skin

Late Night Muse (a poem)

Late Night Muse
Written September 11th, 2011
I watch them
I see them all
Lonely, heartbroken, and defeated
It’s in their posture
As they walk down the hall

I’ve been there
Felt it all
I’ve been in that fall

They ask me
How do I do it?
How do I smile,
How do I keep going?
They say
It isn’t worth it
Not at all
It just ends up in tears
They always fall

Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Flipside (a poem)

The Flipside
Written August 25th, 2011
There’s pictures on the wall
Of my adventures far away
The maps and photos, tickets and brochures
Receipts printed in French and letters from home
It’s hard to look at it all
Without catching my breath as I remember that day

See that postcard off to the side
Along and out of the way?
Greetings from Munich
A sunset glowing behind a silhouetted city
Flip it over, there’s a message, I tried and I tried
To send it to you; but it remains here to this day

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Windows and Doors (a poem)

Windows and Doors
Written August 24th, 2011
As time passes by
A pool of reflections
Swells behind my eyes
The shimmering lights on the water
They are only windows of the past
And hard as I may try
I can never change them to doors

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Tempest Storm (a poem)

Tempest Storm
Written August 14th, 2011
Thunder roaring in the sky
Lightning flashes blinding bright
Rain falling till it starts to flood
Take me, seize me, fly me high
Away from this life into the windblown night
Tempest storm I feel you running in my blood

---
Just a quick little poem inspired by the storm today :)

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Goodnight (a poem)

Goodnight
Written August 10th, 2011
I wish you didn’t have to go
But your eyes are heavy
And you’ve had a long day, I know
Goodnight to you, fallen angel
Know that as your eyes close
The sun sets on my world
And I will grow impatient for tomorrow to unfurl

Saturday, August 6, 2011

(Raise Your Voice) Bat in the Window (a poem)

Raise Your Voice
Bat in the Window
Written August 6th, 2011
Frantic flitter flutter
Bang crash on the glass
Scared and hungry, breath stutters
The exhaustion is utter

Strange faces in the window
Big frightening loud
Oh! Wow! Ew!
Safe on the other side
From this hideous spectacle

She didn’t mean to get stuck in here
Her fuel is fading fast
The food she needs on the flipside of the glass
Not one life on the line but two
A tiny helpless infant waits at home
For a meal it can’t get on its own

Oh, a bat! A bat!
Do you want to see a bat?
Ew, would you look at that!
A bat!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Magic and Mystery (a poem)

Magic and Mystery
Written August 1st, 2011
Your compelling eyes; a strange marine color
Flirt with my skin
Settling on my neck, my lips, my eyes,
And then start again
Without a single drop of wine
I'm drunk, it seems
Blissfully happy, lacking complete thought
The world and its problems;
They don't matter so much today
When you and I occupy the same space
It all just fades away...
You must be a wizard
A strange inhuman being
For your fingers are charged with fire
Leaving behind a pleasant burning
Wherever they go
You're something otherworldly
A unique and shimmering soul; this I know

Vivid Memories (a poem)

Vivid Memories
Written July 30th, 2011
I still remember your smile
Fresh as yesterday
On the face that made my days worthwhile
I recall how your eyes would dance
Whenever you looked at me
You were my risk, my one-shot chance

Still memorized; the contours of your face
So real and vivid, right before me
The feel of your sweet, safe embrace
The warm smooth texture of your skin
Remains; a phantom on my fingertips
I gave you all my secrets deep within

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

(Raise Your Voice) Me Being Me (a poem)

Raise Your Voice
Me Being Me
Written July 12th, 2011

There’s a little car racing along
Bright paint sparkling in the sun
And a girl leaning out the passenger window
Tapping a beat on the door to a lively song
Her long hair flies back in the wind
And she has a smile
Big enough for the whole world
Enjoying something simple for a while
The people in town watch her go
And smile quietly to themselves
Remembering the infectious grin
That helped ease a deep sorrow

Sunday, July 10, 2011

(Dear Marius) Show You How I Play (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius
Show You How I Play
Written July 10th
Come, I want to show you
I follow, we sit
A smile on your lips
Eyes full of light
I see your passion
Before you even start to play
Come, I want to show you
To me you say

A deep breath,
And your fingers set free
The first notes, begging for life
Starting soft, your fingers dance
I am a bystander
Of this musical romance
And I can’t avert my stare
Your fingers, they fly
With such love, skill, and care

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Refuge of Night (a poem)

Refuge of Night
Written July 10th, 2011
There are no stars tonight
To help me see
They’ve left me on my own
To face this inner plight

Lost, I lay in the grass
Enjoying my quiet solitude
Tomorrow I’ll be hit with cold water
It seems I’m growing up too fast

A lonely lamppost’s light sent
To my figure, drawing a long shadow
I see my sins hiding in its black void
But life’s too short to worry about repent

Thursday, July 7, 2011

(Dear Marius) You'll Never Know (poem by Juliette Labelle)

I want to make it absolutely clear that this is not my writing. All credit and rights go to Juliette Labelle, 100% Juliette read my work on Booksie, and was inspired to write her own piece for Michael. It is a beautiful piece and I would like to officially commend it into my Dear Marius collection.
I think it goes to say how truly special Mikey is when absolute strangers are writing pieces for him.

Here is her introduction:
I write this in honor of Micheal Hall. I never knew him, but any time a beautiful soul is taken, even strangers miss them. Ousma [Faith], I do so hope you like this. I tried to write it from your perspective. I feel like it's not as good as my usual stuff but I've no experience dealing with death.

Without further ado:
Dear Marius
You'll Never Know
By Juliette Labelle 

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Music Hallway

Music Hallway
Written June 6th, 2011
The soft smell of old must
Hinted in the air
An aged and well-loved carpet
Tread on by generations of shoes
A troop of elderly pianos
With chipped keys from extensive use
A din of music resonates
Echoing lightly on the walls

Here, here we camp
Soaking it all in
The years of bygone memories
The traces of personalities past
Fragments of talent, left behind
Drifting in the air,
Clinging to the walls,
Sleeping in the shadows;
You just have to look with your heart
We rest here, absorbing
An escape from the fast-paced world
A time to rest, heal, and create
A second home to wandering young souls
Just trying to find a place

This is the Music Hallway.

---
A tribute to the music hallway at my high school, where so many teenagers, including me, just love to be. It's like a light to moths.... And this is where, I'm sure, Mikey's spirit wanders on occasion.  


Tuesday, July 5, 2011

(Dear Marius) My Little Morning Bird (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius
My Little Morning Bird
Written July 5th, 2011

My little morning bird
You always have a song to sing
Your voice and love of the day
A smile to my face will bring

My little morning bird
Always waiting for me
When I’m tired and stressed
The tunes you sing livelier than my coffee

My little morning bird
So happy and ecstatic beneath the sun
You have too much love in one heart
Your friendship brings confidence before my day has hardly begun

Missing You (a poem)

Missing You
Written June 5th, 2011
I press my face to the pillow
And with a soft weary sigh
Allow the blankets to embrace me
Slowly, I let the day go
To be absorbed by my loving mattress
Freed from limiting concentration
And the confines of stress
My mind wanders where it likes
Since I’m quite fond of you
It tends to meander your way

In the dark of night
My thoughts screaming into
Silence



I think of you,
And I long for you.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Tinker Falls (review, rating)

Tinker Falls
Tully, NY
Hiked: June 18th, 2011
Reviewed: June 30th, 2011

Interaction: 5 stars
Scenery: 5 stars
Diversity: 2 stars
Accessability: 2 stars
Size: Small
Overall: 4 stars

Being younger and perhaps a little more adventurous, I personally loved Tinker Falls, and I really can't wait to go back.
Tinker includes a short, ten minute trail leading up to Tinker Falls; an elegant cascade that you can walk behind, and if you're careful, you can even touch it. However, there is a moderate climb involved to reach it that I would not usggest to the elderly, young children, or the handicapped. You can also continute to climb to reach the top of the falls for a splendid view, a fantastic picnic spot, and to access more trails. Again, I stress that these climbs are not reccommended for the people I mentioned. This is why I rated it with a low accessability; for those who are incapable of the climbs, your visit to Tinker will likely be short and disappointing.
The trail leading up the falls
 The creek along the trail
 At the base of the falls
 The climb up to the falls
 Tinker Falls
It looks small here, I guess it is much bigger in the spring than in the summer. However if it's a lot bigger in the spring, I don't know how safe it would be to get close to it at that time.

Midnight Mango (a poem)

Midnight Mango
Written June 30th, 2011
There is a fruit, waiting in the fridge
An international treat
That I’m particularly fond
It will call me at midnight to eat

Quite a nuisance to peel and carve
But I smile as I set it on the board
It’s a task I’ve come to enjoy
For at the end is the sweetest reward

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Steel Darkness (a poem)

Steel Darkness
Written June 29th, 2011
There’s a ’55 Ford Thunderbird
That follows me wherever I go
It’s old and rusty, but it runs like new
And it’s much closer than it was a few years ago
My persistent shadow, hovering nearby
It’s been there as long as I can remember
Trailing behind as I mow the lawn
Idling quietly while I rake leaves in September
Sometimes it snarls with a loud engine rev
And I jump out of my skin
It regards me with bright, stoic headlights
And I sense a tainted, evil soul within

Wolf Moon (a poem)

Wolf Moon
Written June 28th, 2011
Your children stay up late
Beneath the covers; wide-eyed they shiver and quake
Envisioning the stories told
Horrors about me; folklore of old
The full moon flies in the night sky
If they're just myths, why do you lock your door, why?
There's a drawer where you keep silver and holy water
Afraid I'll come snatch your son? Your daughter?

Monday, June 27, 2011

No Shirt/Long Lovin (lyrics, a poem, a re-make)

No Shirt/ Long Lovin
Re-Make of Cake's song:
Short Skirt/ Long Jacket
Written June 28th, 2011
I want a guy with a heart like a lion
I want a guy who knows what I love
I want a guy with style that shows
And eyes that sizzle from above

I want a guy with the right intentions
Who's funny and attentive
And hot as a sun
He's playing with my heartrate
He's messing with my hair
He's touring my body
And he's only just begun

I want a guy with no shirt and a looooong smile

Letchworth State Park (review, rating)

Letchworth State Park
Castile, NY
Hiked: June 27th, 2011
Reviewed: June 27th, 2011

Scenery: 5 stars
Diversity: 5 stars
Interaction: 3 stars
Accessability: 4 stars
Overall: 5 stars
Size: Large

Letchworth is an incredibly large park with its own extensive road system. The park contains 14,350 acres of land along the Genesee River.
A visitor to the park can get more than enough scenery viewing just by driving through the park. The roads run along the edge of the cliff through the park, and there are frequent pull overs along the way where you can stop and check out the view. Most are equipped with binoculars (25 cents) and picnic areas that include charcoal grills.




Saturday, June 25, 2011

Broken (a short story)

Broken
written June 24th, 2011

Mason, it’s so beautiful out here, I texted a message along with the picture I had taken. Wish you were here.
I hit the send button, and then tucked my phone away in my pocket. I stood at the edge of the cliff, following the sweeping land slide with my eyes down to the roaring river at the bottom. It was spring, and the water level was higher than usual, dark and muddy, full of winter debris.
And it was here in this serene place tucked away in the woods, high up on the cliff looking over the whole world (it seemed), that I was at peace.
It was here that I could think, and think in my voice only. With no other influences or voices to distract me or deter me. It was just me, pure and simple.
And I guess that’s why I wanted Mason here. I knew he would appreciate this moment, this philosophical peace, just as much as me.  I could picture him next to me, leaned back on his elbows, looking up at the sky with those bright blue eyes so full of hidden intelligence. He would have a hint of a smile on his lips as he peered at life in its raw form. He loves moments like that, just like me, where things just click and you realize something new about life.  A new philosophy.
We would sit in silence for a while, him and I. Then we would start talking, and we wouldn’t be able to stop. If we had the time to talk about everything we wanted to with each other, we would talk until the day we died. I’m certain of it.
My phone chirped, and I opened up Mason’s response.
Looks awesome. I wish I was there. You always text me awesome things right when I need it, Ava.
I frowned at the last part, and quickly sent a reply:
Why, what’s wrong?
Just…shit at home. Mom.
‘Mom’. That one word explained it all to me. The two of them are always butting heads.
Call me tonight and tell me about it?
I smiled at the reply that came a few moments later.
Was already planning on it :]
I stuffed my phone in my pocket, looking down at my feet, hanging over the cliff edge, swinging back and forth to an unknown beat.
Casting a final glance over the tree tops of the expansive forest, I began the long descent down to the river, a descent I had made many times. I shimmied my way quickly down the sloped cliff-face, my feet and hands knowing where all the holds were from endless repetition of this process.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

(Dear Marius) So Far Away (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius
So Far Away
Written on June 23rd, 2011
Two months after the death of Michael J. Hall
On April 23rd, 2011
The lips sing
Releasing the pain
The guitar notes sting
Harsh and lovely, against the grain
The fingers fly
Dancing on those keys
Trumpet call fills the sky
Sharp and noble, this musical plea

Playing these songs
Gives me some closure
On repeat
Over and over
You’re never coming home
But I know
It’s not over
And I’m not alone

Monday, June 20, 2011

The Light in the Fog (a poem)

The Light in the Fog
Written June 20th, 2011
I can see you there
Shimmering somewhere in the shifting abyss
Inviting me with little hands
Materializing, then with a twirl disappearing
Leaving my heart warm
And my cheeks full with a smile
I hang on to this flickering daydream
Like the sunshine dancing on the ocean waves

Friday, June 17, 2011

Discussion with my Father (discussion, thoughts)

June 15th, 2011
Posted June 17th, 2011
The other day, my father and I were talking about politics, people, and philosophy, as we often do. During the conversation, I brought up how much money frustrates me and how it has to be the backbone to everything in society. All anyone seems to ever worry about is money, rather than the simple, beautiful things in life.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

My Best Friend (a poem, a dedication)

My Best Friend
Written June 16th, 2011
My best friend
I know you well
Every fall and every swell
Missing you when I'm all alone
And not quite sure if I can make it on my own
My best friend
Always there when I need you most
There are no boundaries, from coast to coast
On the rainy days, when I'm down and blue
All I need is to think of you
My best friend
With your long loveable hair
The way your smile fills the air
We stay up and talk until late
Usually we agree, sometimes we debate
My best friend
You are my long lost twin
We're made up of the same stuff within
When something happens, you're the first I want to inform
You always receive it well, never with scorn
My best friend
You're going to exotic places
Going to accomplish and see many faces
Don't forget me while you're conquering the world
I'll always be rooting you on as your greatness unfurls

My brother,
My hero,
My best friend.

-----
A poem for my best pal :) If you read 'Ice Cold', the character Mason represents the same person as the subject of this poem. Thank you, for always being there for me and being like the brother I never had.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Texting Conversation with a Friend (discussion, thoughts)

June 15th, 2011
My friend and I were having a discussion about homosexuality after he said he didn't agree with it, mostly due to, it seemed, his religious beliefs. I do not intend to exploit him or make him look bad by posting about this, I simply wanted to share it. My friend does not, as he said, have a problem with gays and lesbians themselves, as people, but the choice they made. I discussed with him how we think homosexuality comes about; whether it's natural, influenced, or a choice. I think that, depending on the situation, it could be natural or a choice. My friend doesn't think it can be natural. His stance was it is a choice, or if it appears to start from a young age then it was mostly likely influenced by something in the child's life. I think influence can definitely play a huge role, but I believe that there is something in the brain or genetics that can make these influences more, well influential to these certain people than to others. I'm sure there will be lots of scientific studies about this in the future, and I know there are some now even, and I'm anxious to see the results. We also discussed why it was that homosexuality is wrong, based on his beliefs. I would like to share a specific part of the conversation we had. Please feel free to comment on it and leave your thoughts on the subject.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

(Raise Your Voice) Light Up Mommy (a poem)

Raise Your Voice
Light Up Mommy
Written June 12th, 2011
*chk* *chk*
Firelight flicker
Malicious embers glow
Burning up the poison
A serpentine tongue of smoke
Rising from your pale deprived lips
Slithering between your dying teeth
Coating your sickly yellow tongue
And torturing your withered lungs

Saturday, June 11, 2011

(Raise Your Voice) Amy and Morgan (a poem)

Raise Your Voice
Amy and Morgan
Written June 11th, 2011
Everyone wants to know Amy,
Generous and sweet as can be
Wise for her age and a bright future ahead
Giving up her time to help others instead
She's the one to go to when you're feelin down
She always knows just what to say to turn that frown

But Amy doesn't see herself that way
Up late cryin after what happened today
Walking behind girls down the hall
She heard something not meant for her ears at all
"Amy is so damn fat,
Never seen anyone with rolls like that!"

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

(Dear Marius) Evanescence (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius
Evanescence
Written May 31st, 2011
A fedora
On the desk
You worked on
The chair
That once held you
Now holds empty air
The shirts
Your loved ones wear
With your name
Your own army
But you’re not here
To command it.

A piano
Standing alone
At the end of the hall
Dust falls on the keys
A coat of proof
Of your absence
Thick silence in the air

The music has become evanescent.

You’re everywhere
In these objects
But they’re just objects.
Not you
You’re nowhere. 


Anymore (a poem)

Anymore
Written May 31st, 2011
You sneak up on my mind
Like a salesman on a house
You get your foot I the door
And then I can’t push you out

Memories of laughs and smiles
Sweet things in my ears
But you had a mask on all the while
As you claimed me more and more

I love with all I’ve got
You knew this, you abused this
Lifted me high then left me to rot
But now I’m stronger than ever

Sunday, May 29, 2011

(Raise Your Voice) The Simple Fact (a poem)

Raise Your Voice
The Simple Fact
Written May 29th, 2011
Here is the wolf
Treveling at a steady pace
On silent lithe paws
Tireless miles to go today
Across the plains
And beneath the shadows of pines
She will cover great distance
Then go all the way back
She has hungry mouths to feed
Uknown to the untrained eye
A huntress of deadly beauty
A thick coat of silken fur
Fateful teeth and a soothing tongue
Contained in one powerful jaw
Hear her sing at night
Her voice so stunning and inviting
Even the moon stops to listen
And she sets the stars to dance

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Wiccan Alphabet (thoughts, philosophy)

Wiccan Alphabet
Written February 5th, 2010
A nswers can always be found by looking within you
B e the best person that you can be
C reativity is part of who you are, don't be afraid to use it
D iety is what you percieve it to be, not what a book percieves it to be
E nthusiasm is key to believing
F riends are sacred, treat them as such
G reatness can only be achieved with determination and inspiration
H elp others, for someday you might be the one in a tight spot
I gnorance of others will only earn you enemies
J ourney of finding yourself and learning- the definition of religion
K arma never takes a break
L earning is encouraged
M agic is for pure intentions
N ature nourishes the soul, return the favor
O pen your mind to the people and world around you
P ride in who you are is honored and admired
Q uestion always, then you will find meaning
R espect others for who they are
S peak out, silence will get you no where
T rust in the god and goddess to guide you
U nderstand others, and they will strive to understand you
V ictory is great, but the lessons you learn from it are far more valuable
W ithstand negative judgement of others, you know who you are and that's all that matters
X pand your knowledge every chance you get
Z eal in your practice is a sign that you have found the right set of beliefs for you

---
An old post I found on my Paganspace blog. I thought I'd repost it and share some insight into my relgion :)

(Raise Your Voice) Weapons v.s. Souls (a poem)

Raise Your Voice
Weapons vs. Souls
Started on May 19th, 2011
Finished on May 25th, 2011
You cover your wrongs so the world won’t see
You murder our freedoms, our humanity
Shove a gun down our throats when we try to speak
Block us from the information we seek
The ones who see through your mask disappear
Cutting short opposition by instilling fear
 
Send your pawns to take us out
We’ll face your bullets, unarmed, still we shout
Shoot us down till we’re piled high in the street
Till crimson blood pools around your feet
We died for a cause, died for the future, true and brave
While you hide behind walls, trying to outrun the grave

Raise Your Voice (a collection, informational message)

Hey all of my lovely readers!
I am starting to get back into the swing of writing again, and I have decided to start a social commentary poetry collection called Raise Your Voice. For those of you who don't know what it is, Social Commentary is a where someone makes a point or expresses an opinion based on a social problem or idea. It could be pro or con to the idea. Usually, Social Commentary is used to put down a certain idea and try to end it. I was inspired to do this by an art project we started in school. For my project I am doing my commentary on school bullying.
There is a lot I feel strongly about in the world today and in the past, and there are lots of things I hope to see change to in the future. So i decided to take it beyond just my one project at school. All the poems in the Raise Your Voice collection will be about things I see wrong in the world and that bothers me.

(Dear Marius) Were You Real? (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius
Were You Real?
Written May 28th, 2011
Pictures everywhere
Of a familiar face
A friendly green stare
And a smile like no other
In this world, anywhere
 
And yet these photos
Are just paper
Not living flesh
These photos
Hold the memories
Not the presence

Crippled (a poem)

Crippled
Written May 27th, 2011
Scared and alone here
Surrounded by white
And blinding fluorescent light
Close my eyes against the rising fear
I don’t want to believe it’s true
I can’t see the future anymore
My dreams are dead, my hope buried beneath the floor
Where my leg should be; just hospital sheets colored baby blue

Just Kiss Me (a poem)

Just Kiss Me
Written May 5th, 2011
Your face prevails in my mind
And my skin, it tingles
From memories of when we mingled
My hand; it itches
Full of emptiness and wishes
To be curled around your fingers
 
When you’re here next to me
I’m flustered and I tend to worry
Over all that I do
My only desire is to impress you
I can’t take my eyes from your face and figure
With inhuman beauty, you walk with graceful stature
And you have chosen me

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

(Dear Marius) Remembering the Impact (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius
Remembering the Impact
Written May 14th, 2011
My heart pounds as I answer the phone
Something is wrong
In my heart, I already know
And it rings true in her somber tone
“Faith, you’re not going to believe me
When I say this,”
I stand there, fresh-awake
And alone
Breathless, waiting for the impact
“But I’m not joking,”
And I know she isn’t
I wish she was
“Mikey died in a fire last night.”

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Discovering You (a poem)

Discovering You
Written May 1st, 2011
A quiet adoring smile
And bright unique eyes
Peering out at me
From strands of long hair
Falling down over the face
I have come to admire.

I see hopeful days up ahead
That I thought were lost to me
The feelings inside I thought were dead
Open up in a wide blue sea

(Dear Marius) Soul Note (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius
Soul Note
Written May 7th, 2011
A single crisp note
Echoes sweetly in the air
Gracing eager ears
And conducting smiles
With a sound so fair
Before it flutters and disappears
Where to, we'll never know
But it is gone
Never to be heard again
With the exact meaning and passion
It held in that blink of eternity

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

(Dear Marius) The Fire in a Hero's Heart (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius
The Fire in a Hero's Heart
Written May 3rd, 2011
Hungry fire, burning bright
Tongues of flame reaching up into the night
Devouring all it can touch
Pictures, toys, keepsakes and such
Fringes turn black and curl
In the air ashes swirl
Ravenous destruction with spiteful teeth
Air so hot you can’t breathe.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Leaf Raking (a poem)

Leaf Raking
Swish Swish
A pile of red brown orange yellow
Gathers at my feet
I smell the crisp autumn odor
Wafting up from the ground
It’s not too hot
Not too cold
I can remember so easy now
Frolicking in leaf piles
As a child with my dog
So I do this chore happily
Because in my state of childhood abandon,
It’s so easy to forget
My adulthood sorrows



The Corridors (a poem)

The Corridors
Through the empty meaningless corridors we walk
The pale gray brick holding us in
For some this place is hell
For others a haven
Me, I am not sure
Some days, I am surrounded by smiles,
On others
These cold eternal corridors
Transport empty, dead faces
Whose emotionless eyes gaze at the floor
But whether we are elated or empty
The walls don’t care
They are only there
To hold us in.

---
Inspired by a day in school earlier this year when everyone just looked depressed. Maybe it was a monday.


Destructive Cyle (a poem)

Destructive Cycle
I can scream
At the dead white walls
Up into the hopeless gray sky
Into my defenseless deaf pillow
            The walls will remain silent
            The sky will only begin to cry
            My pillow will lie resentfully from my voice’s torment
            None of them will do anything
            To stop you from going

Saturday, April 30, 2011

(Dear Marius) Your Reality (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius
Your Reality
Written April 30th, 2011
The rain has ceased
The sky is blue and clear
The grass reaches high
And the birds sing without fear
Dancing from tree to tree
The world is waking up
With a long happy sigh

I can feel the warmth of your love
In the air all around
Persistent and consuming
Yet it makes not a sound
You may have left mortality
But you are still such a reality

Monday, April 25, 2011

(Dear Marius) Auditorium (a poem, dedication)

Dear Marius
Auditorium
Written April 26th, 2011
It is dark
But we are all here
It is dark
But we are not scared
The audience seats
Are just shadowy shapes
Empty, from what we can see
But it is dark
So we can’t know for sure
Can we?

Sunday, April 24, 2011

(Dear Marius) Now You Know (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius
Now You Know
Written April 25th, 2011
The tears of Angels
Fall
            Fall
From the great sky
So mighty
Each drop
Slapping me in the face
Stinging my skin
Though they’re so soft
Today
The rain I love
Bites, merciless

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Touché (a poem)

Touché
Written April 23rd, 2011
Right in the middle of talk
You scream and run away
I look to see what made you balk
A tiny spider going about his day

I giggle at your silly fear
As I take him elsewhere
Only after you're certain it's clear
Do you rejoin me, still trembling from your scare

I pick on you and poke fun
You look at your feet, face red
Suddenly I scream and I'm on the run
The tables have been turned on me instead

You giggle at my greatest fear
As you swat the bee away
While my heart beats fast from it being near
I apologize and say; "Touché."  

Friday, April 22, 2011

Butterflies

Butterflies
Written April 22nd, 2011
Butterflies
I chased
As a tumble toddler
In the summer
When they fluttered by
Giggle and Stumble
Never caught one
But I always loved
To chase
Blissful Abandon

Butteflies
I miss
As an abandoned adolescent
In my abdomen
When he smiled-by
Blush and Stumble
He caught me
But it N'always lasts
In for the chase
Catch then release

Butterflies
I have
As a hopeful heartbreakee
In the air surrounding us
When he reaches out- a lie?
Flattered, I might Stumble
Will he catch me?
Possible-always last
Beyond the chase
Long Love