In the night, shivers start to flee through the surface.
The warmth in the atmosphere begins to boil as the surface cracks.
As the time pulses through the air, tension erupts, and the river floods.
Without a breath to grasp on to, the steam burns as the foundation begins to shake.
As the reins begin to tighten, the inner circle keeps closing up more and more.
Holding on piece by piece, time has its way when the doors will finally reach it’s course.

A stormy night, awake all night,
Noone around, not a soul in sight.

The silence creeps, the darkness seeps,
Only the sun and the dead sleep.

A forgotten soul, his story untold,
Wonders where the years did go?

Gone so fast, thankfully memories last,
Nostalgic when thinking of old days passed.

A soul so old, her story so cold,
Wonders how things will unfold.

A deafening silence, foreshadows defiance,
Thoughts of peace instead of violence.

2 narcotics, used without logic,
To anyone else it would seem psychotic.

These drugs don’t heal, they only steal,
Your life, emotions, and all things that feel.

2 twisted tales, all drugs inhaled,
Down one of life’s f*cked up trails.

A forgotten soul, a soul so old,
Paths have crossed, but will they hold?

It’s lonely in behind these bars,

It’s dark even during the day.

Trying to keep my mindset free,

But my thoughts are led astray.

I listen to my inner voice,

Because that’s the one that’s wise.

I am my own worst enemy,

When that voice starts telling lies.

I’m left with myself to wonder,

Just when will I get out?

My sentence should be over soon,

Life clouds my mind with doubt.

This is the loneliest age to be kind,
To stand with your heart wide-open, entwined.
While the world walks past with their eyes sunk low,
Too busy, too broken, too fearful to know.

That the good man waits in the quiet and cold,
His virtue’s like armor, his love growing old.
They call him naive, the call him too soft,
Yet they push him away and tell him to f*ck off.

There’s no thoughts of compassion, of standing apart,
Yet he carries his decency deep in his heart.
The cruel are rewarded, the liars adored,
While the good man is doubted, blatantly ignored.

He opens his doors, yet few step inside,
He speaks with his truth, but they think it’s a lie.
For the world wants the flash, the fury, the noise,
Not the steady, the gentle, voices that do not destroy.

So he walks through the crowds like a ghost in the light,
Too solid for shadow’s, too pure for the night.
Oh, what’s the wage of a man who stays true?
A handful of memories, a love far too few.

But the good man remains, though the age turns away,
A relic of honor, in the ruins of today

Dear Addiction:
Back in the day, off the wagon I fell,
You found me first, unbroken, compelled.
You painted my dreams with colors so bright,
And wrapped me in velvet, shadowing my sight.
With every encounter, I lost track of the time,
Chasing your high, commiting your crimes.
An embrace that felt warm, yet so cold at its core,
A sweet sirens call that I couldn’t ignore.
But with each puff, with every high,
A short-lived happiness, followed with a goodbye.
You crept in like fog, obscuring the light,
Turning my days, into sleepless nights.
You promised me solace, a refuge so sweet,
But left me with ashes of shattered defeat.
With trembling hands, I write this plea,
To break the chains, and set me free.
So here in this letter, I wrestle with truth,
The cost of your presence, the theft of my youth.
Though parting is painful, a wound can be sewn,
I’ll reclaim my old soul, and for now, it is home.

Yours no longer,
A soul setting free.

In this life, I walk alone,
My heart’s grown heavy, made of stone.
My longing eyes, search for a sign,
But solitude is my only design.
Whispers in my mind, echoes of dread,
My soul feels heavy, as if it’s made of lead.
In silent tears, my fate I’ll sever,
Convinced I’m going to be alone forever.
Lost in a world that fails to see,
My aching heart, my silent plea.
Each day a battle, each night a war,
Another year passes, and then one more.
Destiny’s grip, has me locked in chains,
Binding me to this neverending pain.
Any smidge of hope, is a distant dream,
An endless nightmare, so it seems.
So alone I walk, my burden heavy,
Yearning for a touch, I’m forever ready.
But fates cold hand is a relentless giver,
Condemning me to be alone forever.

Can I dig myself out,
Of this hole I’ve made?
No more tricks up my sleeve,
All my cards are played.
Can I find the answers,
In this day and age?
I’ve look outside, I’ve looked within,
I’ve turned through every page.
What does it mean to be free,
When I walk these streets alone?
I am free to go nowhere,
Because that nowhere is my home.
Where will this life take me,
Being so lost and lonely?
I walk through life so blindly,
I’ve never really known me.

Dear Unsealers,

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where, no matter what you do or say, it feels like you’re trapped in a box? Even when everything seems fine, do you feel like you’re being watched every few minutes? It’s as if you’re just going about your life, but because people know your circumstances, you sense that something is about to happen any moment.

What do you do when you’re in a room, fully aware of everything at stake, yet still feel overwhelmed, as if you don’t know what’s wrong? Or when you express your feelings and receive the same responses repeatedly, like, “Oh, I’ve heard you,” or “What do you want me to do about it?” It can be frustrating to hear the same replies almost every time.

How can you overcome these issues and maintain a positive outlook?

As temperatures rise beneath the stars’ bright glow,
Chatter dances softly, carried by the flow.
The night wraps around as the skies gently close,
And the insects awaken, their symphony flows.

In the winds they resonate, a melody sweet,
Nature’s quiet chorus, a nocturnal beat.
With every soft flutter, their presence ignites,
The magic of evening, where music delights.

So let the night linger, let the breezes play,
In this world of whispers, where dreams drift away.
Under the watchful stars, as the darkness unfolds,
The night breathes its secrets, and a story is told.

Your absence overshadowed
your love for us girls.
Advertised unhealthy worthiness.
Your assumption of being our first love
was overturned by your emotional negligence.
Made for weak understandings amongst our future relationships.
Your silent treatment of handling situations overhyped how mature your stance stood.
Taught us avoidance amongst stressful encounters as adults.
Your upbringing outshined your ability to father two beautiful smart girls.
Left those two women to raise themselves together.
Your title of father can describe so much yet the title dad fits better.
Handed out so little with all you had.

Dear Dad,

On this Father’s Day, I wanted to share a message of love and appreciation with you. Thank you for everything we have been through together. Through the ups and downs, I’m grateful that you’ve always been there for me and have never let me down.

I know I haven’t always turned out to be the person you might have hoped for, but I appreciate that you didn’t hold anything against me. Instead, you gave me a chance to learn and grow, even when you disagreed with my choices. Your acceptance means so much to me.

I cherish all the conversations we’ve had while I was growing up. While you are my dad, as I got older, you also became an example of how a partner should be to me. Your actions and the way you treat others, especially women, show your kindness and dedication to making people happy. That is truly special.

I love the father figure you’ve become, and anyone would be lucky to have you as a dad. Please don’t ever change the wonderful person you are. I want you to know that, no matter what I do in life, I will always be your daughter. Although I may not be able to do much for you this Father’s Day, I hope this message and letter brighten your day.

With love,
Your Daughter
Samantha

Dear Unsealers,

It’s the third Sunday in June.

At the halfway point of the month, it’s Father’s Day.

I hope that all the fatherly figures from my dad on down the line have a wonderful day. And everyone has a wonderful Sunday.

I’ve added a photo of my family taken after my sister’s college graduation in 2007. From left to right: my dad, sister, mom and I.

After all that, this is my Father’s Day message:

On this, the third Sunday in June
It’s a day to celebrate fathers

My dad. My friend’s dads.
My friends who are dads themselves. Dad’s to be. New dads.

All the fatherly figures
Grandfathers. Stepfathers. Uncles.

With arms held aloft
For those who have difficulty celebrating this day

And a toast in memory
To the fatherly figures who are no longer with us

I can’t thank my dad enough
For being a pillar of my life
Through so many challenging days
If not for him, I don’t rock n roll

From me to you, the world over
A Happy Father’s Day to all!

one word says it all
one word has the power to touch or call
one word can make or break
one word
which one will you choose
which one word will you use
one word
the one word i choose is
love

You’ve changed.
No. I took charge of my life.
I shed years of
blackness from my life.
Decades of overcast emotions
from my heart.
Years of caused neglect
from my nervous system.
Decades of tape marks
amongst my voice.
I did not change.
I found me!

Dear Community,

I would like to ask a question and share my thoughts: Does anyone believe in connections? When I search for the right person to be with, I often develop a special bond over time that I find hard to break.

For example, I’ve been experiencing a lot of ups and downs with my partner. When I discuss our problems with others, I often hear questions like, “Why can’t you just leave?” or “You shouldn’t have to put up with this; just walk away.” I understand that people will have many questions, especially if they aren’t aware of the full story.

Many say that when you find the right person, you’ll just know it. However, I don’t know if I’m alone in feeling that if you started dating your partner in high school, became sweethearts, and remained friends afterwards, a strong connection develops over time, right?

That’s my dilemma. I admit I’ve had intense discussions with my partner, and I’ve shared this with everyone, including my family. Leaving is difficult, especially when your heart is still invested. It battles within you: on one side, you love the good things about him and want to stay; on the other side, you resent the negative traits and want to protect yourself.

Then there’s that voice in your head reminding you that he’s your best friend—the person you clicked with instantly. You don’t want anything bad to happen to him.

My question is this: If you have a connection that feels so strong, how can you break it if it comes down to that choice?

“As night falls, the sounds gradually fade into complete silence. The stars emerge as the clouds above drift off to sleep, while fireflies glow gently in the dark sky. As the countdown to dawn begins, the night will give way to light, making room for a new day.”

Darkness falls with the sounding booms as a gentle breeze fills the house with coolness. The nighttime welcomes the aroma of fresh food being made, while the soothing purrs vibrate through the house. As the sky descends, light shines on the shadows, and the insects make their music known.

What is a home? A home is meant to be an environment where you can begin your life. But how can you truly have a life in an economy where, if you’re over 21, you are expected to either find a job or go to school? I understand the expectations, but what about families who have done everything they can yet are still struggling?

Take, for example, a man and a woman living in a two-bedroom trailer, paying $450 a month in rent. They are also responsible for water, electricity, internet, and essential expenses, relying on a few hundred dollars in food stamps and less than a thousand in disability benefits each month. Both partners face serious medical issues and do not own a vehicle. How can anyone expect people in these conditions to survive?

Yet, many people dismiss their struggles, accusing them of laziness or of wanting someone else to take care of them financially. What do they expect? Should these individuals magically create money, rob a bank, or win the lottery? It’s not that simple when there are so many factors complicating their lives.

Unfortunately, the community often reacts negatively when individuals ask for help. Many people judge them harshly, assuming they are trying to take advantage of others or spend aid on frivolous things. But how can they truly understand someone’s situation without first listening to their story?

To my oldest daughter,

You’re approaching a significant milestone this year, and I can hardly believe you are getting ready to turn 15 and start your freshman year of high school. I want you to know that, despite the long and difficult journey we’ve shared, my love and feelings for you will never change.

I admit that I made some mistakes when I was younger and that I wasn’t fully prepared to be a mother. However, my experiences with you and your siblings have helped me make better choices for you. I want you to know that I will be here for you as much as I can to support you in your career choices and make that next phase easier for you.

As your birthday approaches and you continue to blossom into a young woman, remember that you are ready for whatever comes your way. No matter what you choose to pursue, I will love you unconditionally. Even though I may not be around 24/7, I’m just around the corner.

I love you.
Your Mother

In a hot box mobile home, where the sunlight gleamed,
Lived a woman named Michelle, who often daydreamed.
With her coffee in hand and a laptop on her lap,
She was lost in a tale, in a wonderful nap.

But just when she sighed, “This is bliss, oh so nice!”
A spider appeared, oh so crafty and spry.
He danced on a blanket, did a jig on the floor,
And Michelle, in surprise, dropped her laptop — what a fall!

“Hey there, my friend, can’t you see I’m engrossed?
Your eight-legged antics, quite frankly, I loathe!”
But the spider just winked and performed a grand leap,
As Michelle tried to shoo him, her coffee took a steep.

It tipped and it splashed, oh, what a disaster!
Her dream turned to chaos, and the silence unraveled faster.
“Why must you interrupt my serene little life?
I was cleaning the coffee, not dodging a spill!”

The spider just chuckled, with a mischievous grin,
“I thought you’d enjoy a bit of a spin!
Life’s too short for quiet; let’s mix it up a bit,
Wouldn’t you rather laugh than just sit and sit?”

So Michelle took a breath, bit back her frown,
And decided to jump from her eight-legged clown.
The laptop flew on the couch, oh, what a sight,
A woman and a spider, escaping by flight.

Now, whenever she prepares her laptop, with her coffee in hand,
She glances around for that arachnid friend.
For some time it seems, in our quietest space,
A little interruption can bring entertainment wherever you go!