Crimson red,
resembling dripping blood,
a whisper and a scream,
a flame of passion,
allure of elegance,
a picture of love.

Prick me,
thorns surround,
and make me bleed,
yet delicate petals,
tender, a fragrance so sweet,
with beauty that marks the world.

You are my favorite,
no other can compare,
one, or a thousand blooms,
making your heart skip a beat,
dancing with romance,
enchanting radiance.

Majestic in every way,
the queen of the garden,
dangerous to the touch,
yet I can’t resist,
the thorned nature,
that draws one in,
sweetly divine.

To my younger self:

It’s sometimes hard to say “I love you,”
But know, I always do.
You shine bright in a world full of darkness,
with strength and resilience when most would give up.
You possess beauty inside and out—enjoy it, because it does fade 😉
But know that no matter how hard you try to be perfect, you already are.
Made in God’s image,
a princess immaculate in design.
Wise beyond your years,
funny even when you don’t mean to be,
and smarter than you will ever know.
You have a heart of gold—something to be proud of and cherish.
Through pain, you push through and triumph, which is tough at such a young age.
You may not have had the childhood fun some kids had, but you do have love.
You are a leader,
A champion,
A survivor.
You make the world a better place, and your smile lights up every room.

Remember, you are loved deeply and valued beyond measure.
Keep shining bright, for you are destined for greatness.

Love you truly,
Kristina

Minds quiet,
Comrades at my side,
Breathing deep — I’ve never felt so alive.

Beneath my cleats,
The earth greets,
“Balls out!” echoes, as my heart beats.

Rising, falling, our rhythm like a drum,
Together we advance,
The oval ball snug.

Ahead, a wall—
Formidable, true,
Yet to the earth I’m flung, feeling anew.

Cheers swell from the sidelines, ringing,
Vibrations through the field, singing,
We surge as one, our spirits linking.

Here on this pitch,
Where triumph tastes sweet,
In the sweat of defeat, our memories meet.

Below the surface of fear,
Underneath the competitive cheer,
Amid the tumult, clarity draws near:

In the push and pull, of this day,
The beautiful chaos sway,
I find peace in this crazy game I play.

To my younger self,

There’s much ahead for you to see,
Deciding your path won’t always be easy.
You’ll face heartbreak and pain,
Moments where you’ll feel insane.
But through it all, you’ll gain strength and wisdom,
Navigating against the grain and the system.
There will be times when you’ll feel alone,
But you’ll learn to embrace and love yourself on your own.
With each challenge, you’ll gain fortitude,
Be grateful for each day, maintaining a positive attitude.

Youth swiftly comes and goes,
Treasure laughter, embrace what life bestows.
Slow down, truly live in each moment’s embrace,
Find your rhythm, your own pace.
You’re just beginning your story’s arc,
A tale filled with wonders, making your mark.
Trust in God, stay true to His plan,
Like a phoenix, rise and stand.
Your talents shine bright, like a star,
As you ascend, reaching heights near and far.

Up the mountain you’ll climb,
Love and laughter await, transcending time.
Welcome the journey, the ups and downs,
For therein lies life’s echoing sounds.
Discover yourself, love, and be true,
In this beautiful journey, continue to just be you.
You are valued, precious, and strong,
With a tenacious spirit, you’ll sing your own song.
So cherish each step, each stride,
In this magnificent, crazy ride.

Beneath the radiant sun,
Waves crash nearby,
The chilled water beckons to me,
As sand clings to my feet.

Seagulls dance and flutter about,
While dolphins playfully surface.
Sandcastles tower amidst the sand,
Children’s joyous laughter fills the air.

An oasis of tranquility,
Salt air whispers gently.
This is my favorite place,
A haven for the soul.

Sereneness,
Peacefulness,
Endless horizon,
This is pure bliss.

As the waves come and go,
Renewal washes over me,
In the vast ocean’s expanse,
All problems fade away.

Drifting with the current,
Worries are no more,
This sanctuary revives and rejuvenates,
The beach: my happy place.

Is the darkness hidden well?
Or can you see its all show and tell?

How troubling is the mind-
Exploring all the broken pieces,
And crevices abused with time.

The joy and innocence of a little girl stole-
Tears and fear did she meet in her bed,
Wishing instead of life, she were dead.

Day after day,
Night after night,
Little by little,
Her light was snuffed out;
Love- a word, she began to doubt.

Wanting to fight and push on she did,
But the pain broke her and so she hid.

Not knowing who to trust,
Or where to turn,
Confusion masking lessons learned.

Abused around every corner,
Men lusted and adorned-her.

Ridiculed with guilt and shame,
No-one but herself to blame.

The pain just increased and increased,
Until all hope within her finally ceased-

Filled with such disgust and self-hate,
She began to suffocate-

Unable to accept reality,
With crippled mentality-

Only one place left to run,
Falling to her knees before the Son.

Sin at his feet-
She lay,
Begging for forgiveness-
She prays.

Wiping her slate clean like never before-
Gods love is the one and only cure.

Broken are the chains,
Alleviating the pain-

Free is she-
And mighty is Thee.

There’s a stirring within me,
a fervent desire to be seen and heard;
a dormant talent calling out,
beckoning to appear.
Countless thoughts,
endless visions.

The artist emerges,
brush in hand,
painting a scene so serene,
igniting a fire from within.

Can I unveil these parts of me?
Will I be favorably received?
Listen closely:
My voice will echo-
Recognize this, my unique sound,
for soon, favor shall be found.

In the garden of my late twenties,
Where dreams weave through realities,
I stand, a creator, a learner, a leader,
Crafting my path with the hands of a dreamer.

Each day a canvas, my career the brush,
Dipped in the hues of knowledge, a quiet hush.
With every stroke, I grow, I thrive,
In this dance of creativity, I feel alive.

Challenges rise like mountains steep,
Yet within me, a resolve so deep.
To climb, to conquer, to reach new heights,
Finding strength in the toughest of fights.

Impact is the echo of my silent roar,
Touching lives, opening a new door.
In this chapter, a rebranding so bold,
A story of transformation, waiting to be told.

As twenty-eight whispers of time well spent,
I gaze toward thirty with pure intent.
A decade looming with promises anew,
A journey of becoming, a perspective true.

In this blossoming, I find my grace,
A higher self in time and space.
Strong, unswayed by the external din,
Rooted in self, a radiance from within.

With every heartbeat, I fall deeper in love,
With the person I am, the skies above.
Pride swells like a tide, vast and wide,
In who I’ve become, I take immense pride.

In the dawn of 2024, a canvas unfurls,
With goals profound, like precious pearls.
Self-love, like a compass, guiding my way,
In the gentle embrace of a brand-new day.

Within, I seek a love so deep,
A promise to myself, a secret to keep.
Mirror reflections, it is a start,
Loving every piece of me, a work of art.

In the tapestry of dreams, a vow I weave,
To embrace imperfections and in them, believe.
Stars in my soul, twinkling bright,
I continue on this journey of self-love’s light.

Acceptance, the bridge, to hearts that care,
In 2024, love is in the air.
No fortress of doubt, no walls to build,
A dance with hearts, the space is filled.

With open arms, I welcome the tides,
Affection and warmth in love’s sweet strides.
In this chapter, I choose to receive,
Love’s symphony, in which to believe.

Nurturing my mind, a garden of thought,
Seeds of wisdom, lessons sought.
Books and knowledge, like rain on soil,
A fertile mind, a lifetime to uncoil.

Learning and growing, expanding my view,
In the vast expanse of the intellectual brew.
A sanctuary of thoughts, a haven of peace,
Nurturing my mind, the quest shall not cease.

2024, a year of growth and bloom,
A tapestry woven with lessons from the gloom.
In self-love’s embrace, I find my might,
Accepting love, like morning light.

Nurturing my mind, a scholar’s quest,
In the pages of wisdom, I am truly blessed.
The mind, a garden, thoughts take flight,
In the canvas of dreams, I find my light.

So here’s to my 2024 journey, a story to tell,
In the symphony of life, where dreams swell.
I set my intentions, a heartfelt decree,
For a year of love, growth, and wisdom, to be.