A few months ago, Mitsu was diagnosed with anemia, which resulted in a low count of white and red blood cells. He was prescribed medicine to take every day to help his blood cells function properly, and it worked for a short period of time. However, a new diagnosis was given on May 2nd, 2024, when he was found to be suffering from cancer, kidney failure, and a high temperature. Unfortunately, the doctor informed us that there is nothing more they can do to help him. My family and I are taking care of him every day, feeding him through a tube since he has lost the ability to eat and drink water. We are doing everything in our power to help him, spending as much time with him as we can. He is a fighter and has been holding on for almost a week now. May 5th,2024 at 5:00 pm my baby has passed away and joined GOD I’m happy you’re in a better place and not suffering anymore inshallah we will meet again meri jaan. We will miss you, you may not be here physically but emotionally and mentally you are. May Allah bless you always my baby we love you. You were treated by the best doctors I know because the minute they saw you they got ready to put ultrasound, heartbeat mintor in 2.5 seconds they knew tried their best to save you. Me and your grandma were willingly to pay whatever amount to give you the best treatment but you picked your head up and called out mama whenever we were talking to the doctors you knew it your time. Heart beat going up and down and temperature going higher, lower and then GOD called you, me and your grandma screamed I’m sure you heard our screams and cries saying, “not him not now,” I told you to let go whispered in your ear who knew you listened and let go. The doctors took you to another room and we saw tears coming out your eyes and the door opening up wide we knew you were leaving. The house will be empty without your meows. Me and our family will miss you babyboy youll always be our baby and never replaced by another. Your ashes will be here with us forever. I’ll always remember you calling out mama, following me to the bathroom always, bumping your head on my hand for cuddles, always stealing food. Your bird and fish siblings will miss you too, tell mitu your bird sister hello for me tell her even after many years I still miss her your my baby always and forever my black cat. Your cat siblings annie, milo, selena have lost their brother but promise me to look out for them from up in the clouds, stars, sun, moon never stop looking after us either we will miss you meri jaan always and forever never ever forgotten. Hope you visit in my dreams and thoughts always. Thank you for all the smiles, laughs, meows, you cured so much in our household anxiety, depression, sadness you made it all happy who knew cats were a miracle and my black cat was our lucky clover. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to take care of you and giving you all the love and care and even after your gone ill still be your cat mom. O Allah, ease upon him his matters, and make light for him whatever comes hereafter, and honor him with your meeting and make that which he has gone to better than that which he came out from.
Oh hi grief, we meet again and this time I am not fine. I was hoping that was the last time we would meet but once again I find myself counting down the time
Like the silent second hand of a watch everything feels numb
I can’t believe I’m here again but this time I don’t feel as dumb
Optimism use to shine bright like the sun reflecting off the waves but now I will have to sit alone- can I even be that brave
How can I even push through this horrendous season when last time you were the one who led
I guess I’ll have to hold my own hand and remember everything you said
Trying to feel the feels and maintain life for a while will be tough
I don’t want to do life without you- like omg why is life so rough
In the worst times of life you were my support and now this hardest time of all is coming and I feel all out of sorts
We have talked about our dreams and plans and never thought we’d have to go at them alone but one day I’ll be here with no other voice on the phone
You taught me to stand on my own and always look ahead and I’m so thankful for that because I am where I am today because of all the things you said
You pushed me, challenged me and always had my back and when things got crazy you helped me get back on track
I guess I’ll pack your things away to keep them safe and tight
All the while with tears streaming wishing you were here still in the fight
Dear Uncle Eric,
I’ve talked to you a lot the past few years. Your picture hangs up above my electric junction box; my boyfriend and I split custody of your comic book collection.
Sometimes I flash back to those summers when I was kid when you’d walk up the street toward my grandmother’s house, sporting that toothy smile and that dingy Superman shirt.
Ironically, in some ways I feel closer to you now than when you were alive. If I had to choose, though, I’d have you back beside me in a second.
I want to start off by saying, I’m sorry. When you got sick, you tried to reach out. You tried to call. I kept avoiding those calls, and you probably died thinking I didn’t want to speak to you. Or maybe you knew, on some level, that I loved you with all my heart, that I’ve always thought of you as a father. I’ll never know either way, and it breaks my heart and part of me hates myself for not picking up the damn phone.
I don’t hate myself all the time for that–I want you to know that. Only sometimes, and not for very long. Regret is ultimately a waste of time.
I could bemoan the fleeting time we had together, regret never calling you Dad… or I could feel blessed. I do feel blessed. You gave me a whole world, Eric. You gave me comic books and superheroes, Peter Parker and Clark Kent. You gave me Smallville, you gave me X-Men, you gave me all those summers of adventures in Boston, seeing Spiderman in theaters together. You gave me thirty years of listening, empathizing, without any judgment whatsoever. I say this without a hint of doubt–other adults in my life clothed me, fed me, paid for a decent chunk of my college education… but you gave me more than those adults ever did.
For one thing, you didn’t beat me, or scream at me, or throw things at me, or blame me for the family being broken. You didn’t steal from me, call me a faggot when I came out, or tell me I was an evil person.
You saw me. You saw the real me. You saw the light in me, and you nurtured it. That light shines now, bright as the sun, because of YOU.
You taught me how to be a hero, just by being one yourself. You taught me how to be kind to others, even when the world is nothing but cruel. You taught me to show forgiveness where a lesser man might show retribution. Most of all you taught me that those who cause pain, are weak. Those who love and protect others, are the strongest of us, the very best of us.
For that, and so much more, you are, and always will be
Droyer, I am so sorry for your loss. I am certain that he knows how much you loved him. Sometimes when someone is sick, it’s just too much for our minds to handle and we pull away. I have done the same. Sending you hugs! <3 Lauren
It’s hard to think that just 5 years ago my mom ended her own life. Through years of battling addiction and struggling with mental health she could no longer take the pain of grasping another breath. It’s hard to look back with love when all I want to do is hate her. Pain, she caused me nothing but pain in her last years and those seem to be the most prominent memories in my mind. The joyful smile of a young girl with her loving mother is just a distant memory I’m never able to hold. Always screaming, when wasn’t she screaming, she fought demons in her mind and let them devour me with her. Abuse, fearing to see my next day, fearing death by the hands of my own mother. I still hear the echos of her voice telling me I was worthless to her something she wish she’d never had to look at, someone she’d never created. Red, shards of glass scattered across the floor, they were aimed for my head. She aimed them to hurt me. Remorse, I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m so so sorry, please forgive me. I didn’t mean it I promise I swear I could never hurt you. Lies, it was always a lie. Fear, pain, loss, hurt, yet so much empathy for the women who was hurt, the women who was once a little girl who was hurt so badly it changed her brain. A little girl who dreamed of growing up, a girl with aspirations and dreams, a girl who had a whole happy life ahead of her and saw no darkness in the world, a girl that was once just like me. How could I hate someone who I understand so deeply. Never will I agree with what the past holds but never will I hold the past against you. You were my mother, you were supposed to watch me grow and live a long life, but I understand the battle you faced in your mind everyday and I see how strong you were for holding on all those years.
I need you, I’m scared
The man who I thought was my father
Was only my Dad.
I knew too-right from wrong
But God is my Father,
And He is strong!
He’s not like my Dad though,
Yet, some similarities you know?
How is your Mom?
Is she still alive?
I wish to your place again
I could run and hide.
As kids and friends
Billy I was already perverted
Some scary stranger…
Wrecked my life.
And then he laughed about it
40 years later
How’s that a joke?
I don’t know.
But I’m better now,
I’m a child of the King!
And in 4 trillion more years…
I’ll still be!
Like prejudiced people used to say in school,
Calling some a wanna’ be
Except my wants changed.
I want to be a man of God,
I want to be good
I sure wish I could.
But I’m gonna try to learn how!
I miss you so bad
You were the first best friend I had.
My best friend now-since “1996”
Is the coolest!
His name is Mike
He’s from Cleveland
I’ve even prayed and cried over him.
I want him to go to heaven!
You better be there when I get home,
I want you to meet him.
I wish I had not
Brought you smoke.
I want to be buried under it.
You were like an exception
Dad would let me out.
He must had liked you too.
Sometimes I think
I haven’t changed much inside…
But I have! Hey,
I know you remember Scoot,
He told me what happened, at the bar
When he cried. Billy, I wish you never died!
Everyone has that friend. The one you who walks into your house without knocking or calling first. The one who invites herself over for dinner. The one who answers every text within seconds because she understands your anxiety. The one who sends you birthday cards in the mail even though they see you every day in person but they know it will be more special that way. I remember the last time I saw you. I remember driving in your car and stopping at the store, I remember you sneaking me a cigarette even though I wasn’t supposed to be smoking. I remember sitting outside your apartment laughing and planning what to do to celebrate both of our birthdays because they fell so close together. I remember your birthday. You should be 36 now. Instead you’re forever 33. No one ever tells you that losing a friend forever is one of the hardest things you’ll have to go through in life. Losing the person you tell every detail about your day to is like losing your dominant hand. it’s kind of hard to do everything without it. It’s kind of hard to do everything we used to do now, without you. No one ever tells you how hard it is to lose that friend because no one is supposed to lose that friend.
Aww I am so sorry for your loss. You are lucky to experience that kind of love and friendship and I am sure you carry that love with you every single day. <3 Lauren
I hope you weren’t up late that night waiting for me.
I knew the hour wasn’t great to call.
I had priorities in life-
I felt my back against the wall.
Also seemed there wasn’t much I could discuss with you or say.
And then the moment changed my life.
When I got word that you had passed away.
I actually felt my world stop spinning .
I stepped back taking look at myself.
Knowing precisely at that moment –
How Lonely that you must have felt.
And every day that passes now
You are in my thoughts more so.
A better person I strive to be
Because that’s the only way that I can grow.
I want to say I am so sorry
I wasn’t there when my time you did need.
This Letter goes out to Someone…
Remember to Cherish the people you Love
Without selfishness & greed.
Hey wassup it’s ya girl
What am I a radio personality?
Hi. I’m LaShae.
Wait. Yeah that
That feels comfortable.
Hi. I’m LaShae.
La like the note
Shae like the butter.
And I’m
. . .
Blank
God says,
I am that I am
But if I said it
Would it be blasphemous?
Even if I am?
Because I am that I am
And
I am Joy.
I am Smile.
Brittany said it was creepy
That I smiled so much
But Brittany didn’t know
I hurt the same ways she did.
She didn’t know my smile
Was as much a resistance
As it was for her to get out of bed some mornings
She didn’t know
I kept my smile because
Tracy loved my smile.
Tracy loved my smile!
She said it was the most genuine smile she’s ever seen
Which is the best compliment
Because her smile
Was the most genuine I’ve ever seen.
I am peace
Except when I am hungry
And I am always hungry
Beware of Junior’s warning
You better feed that gal;
I am gal.
As sister says,
When hungry,
I am Hulk;
I am pitbull.
Ya girl just likes to eat
But when I am fed,
I promise
I will be peace
Like Mable taught me to be
Peace:
Not the absence of violence,
But the presence of Justice.
So if no Justice
No peace.
I am starving
Pitbull for peace
Ready to Hulk smash oppression
See, Mable
Mable was a child
When Newark went up in flames
See
You don’t watch your home go ablaze
And end up staying the same
No
You arm yourself
Yes, with the whole armor of God
Like your mother taught you
But also
With a thicker skin
That none of this heat can penetrate
And with a weapon
She chose a pen
Much mightier than a sword
Her ink writing for peace
Not the absence of violence
But the presence of Justice
Her ink filled with the blood spilled in her streets
And then she would come to teach
All the little children, and yes, even me
That the power is in connections
That is what Mable taught to me.
Barbara taught me to hold my own.
Pete told me Fret Not
But Pray if you feel alone
Latierra and Ricky
Both taught me to wonder
And Serena taught me
That dancing is greater than pain
Ali taught me God will find you
Even if you’re in the dark.
I never met Maurice,
But his love is always in my heart.
Ulysses taught me always learn first
And Davey taught me to dress my best
Even when they do their worst
Ron & Vette taught me to be loud
Lisa and Al taught me love knows no bounds
Dog taught me to keep my friends close
Mo taught me that royalty
Can come from a crack that bloomed a rose
And Holis, God rest his soul,
May not be blood
But taught me what a man ought to be
I know you asked about me
But I am an unfinished story
The moral of my life
Isn’t complete
But I am that I am
And I am pieces of
Every person I ever lost
A puzzle
Amassing to one lone thought:
Love.
GRIEF
By. Kristina Gregson
Grief is a hard feeling to explain.
One does not truly know what to expect, until they are actually going through the pain.
The pain in the pit of your inner being.
The ache in your heart, feels like it could stop beating.
Your whole body aches with pain, leaving one feeling so drained.
Right down to the blood that flows through your veins.
A hurt, an ache, that can only be described as deep deep sorrow.
One that you know you will still have when you wake tomorrow.
The feeling of loss, the wish I would haves,
The wish I could haves, the wish I should haves,
That feeling of so much wasted time, that could have been spent with better rhythm and rhyme.
More smilies, more hugs, more laughter, more love.
More calls, more talks, maybe even a walk,
More dinners together, more special times.
That is what you wish when your loved one has ran out of time.
Greetings, Your honesty and imagery evoke shared sorrow and the importance of cherishing time with loved ones. Overall, it’s a poignant reminder of life’s preciousness. Splendidly written and my condolences.
Dear Grandpa,
It’s been 11 years snice you’ve gone. I can still remember the night being so peaceful, so still, and so cold. I remember the day we laid you to rest. The snowflakes that fell that day were the biggest ones I’ve ever seen. I wanted to be one of the few who go to carry you to your final resting place, but I watched instead as my brother, cousin, brother in law, and a few others carried you instead.
I’ll never forget when my 18th birthday rolled around and I eagerly went to the gas station and bought a can of your grizzly wintergreen chewing tobacco. I took it to you grave and had lunch with you. The sun was shining and I was happy enough even though you weren’t with me anymore.
You were my best friend. The amount of days I skipped school just to hang out with you nearly cost me my graduation. The people at school frowned upon the week I missed when you passed. Said I shouldn’t have been gone that long and that I needed to be there from then on. What was I supposed to say? Grief has no time limit and I wasn’t capable of dragging myself out of bed to go be around people who never understood me. You always did though.
I wonder what you would think of me now. Would you still be proud of me? Would you still be able to sit in silence with me and just watch the tv? Would you still be able to look me in the eyes and tell me everything was going to be ok? You were my safe place in this world and even though it has been 11 years my heart still hurts. I yearn to hear your laugh, see your smile, and feel the warmth of your hugs.
Awww Courtney! This is so sweet. Your grandpa is definitely proud of you and definitely still watching over you.
My grandpa died when I was 13. We have the same personality and we are the only two people in our family that are very athletic – so I know I got it from him. When I was younger he would tell me rain was good luck. So after he died,…read more
March 7th is your birthday. I was planning to post this on the 6th, as it would fit the theme… premature, or just because this is so hard to get through that I wanted to do it early.
Then again, it is the 6th in California, where my sister lives – who is due to give birth on the 9th.
So, who knows, she can be getting contractions as I write this! .
Hello future Weber,
For future comparison, please note: the line below details what time this sentence was written:
Sentence was completed at 9:33 pm 3.6.24 (PST)
I will see you soon!
Love,
Uncle Jakey💜
Anyway, back to the premature thing.
MLT YOU💜 ME because I was born prematurely at 1lbs 13 oz, giving me cerebral palsy – It feels really weird to be talking about myself in YOUR bday card, CONVENIENTLY weird!
Your favorite thing to do was to ASK me how I was doing and there to share all the moments with me🥲
Alright, let us get back to MYSELF🤔 I think that would make everyone happy😂
In all seriousness, you ARE at your HAPPIEST when the attention is on others. I’ll take it and run!
Our relationship iS STILL as close as ever!
I may not be able to physically hug you, but I know YOU ARE STILL HERE because I see the signs:
Whether it’s with family or things that I do, I do NOT doubt that you did not have anything to do with Lexi, finding a Jeffrey, Ryan finding a Pamela (I’m a little upset with that one because there is only one Pamela Tick, but that’s ok, Pamela’s maiden name is Katz (like Nanny Sheila’s)!
Me:
The Unsealed with LAUREN, my psychologist —who has a disability, and lost a cousin, my best friend, Mack, who I met at a special Olympics event!
In these ways, YOU ARE IMPACTING EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY ME, SHOWING ME, that love can be experienced by ANYONE, ANYWHERE, disability or not!
I would say, until we see each other next time, but I see you EVERYDAY!
Until I can give you a PHYSICAL HUG, sending all of them up into HEAVEN! That and a Black & White Cookie for Papa Donald!
I pray God send you back to me
I loved you before I knew you
I still love you
Stink-stink
My boo boo
I will always love you
You would have been 7 years old
Some friends tell me Happy mothers day
I smile to cover up the pain that’s inside of me
It’s hard for me to open up to explain to others what happened
I wish I knew what you would have looked like
Still wonder if you were going to be a baby boy “Legend”
Or a “Diamond” princess
I wish I knew your favorite toy
Your favorite cartoon
favorite food
favorite fruit
favorite veggie
favorite ice cream
favorite hobby
favorite color
favorite book
I know uncle Jimmy would have been your favorite uncle
Sherice & Klanice your favorite twin aunties
All I wanted was the best for you
Lead you in the right direction
I wanted you to have a father
That knew the definition of being a father
And act on it
I was so happy when I confirmed I was due 3/30/2017
But I was scared too
So I sat down and thought everything through
I rather have a child by a real man with father experience
Even with no father experience but is ready and willing to sacrifice
And do everything he can to make sure his child is well taken care of
And I was guaranteed to have a real man that had my back one hundred percent
Then I would have never had any doubts
I still look at my ultrasound picture
My body freezes up looking at my seed I was carrying
Small thing you
Sometimes as I sit and write
But yet my kid not hugging or kissing me
Or saying, “mommy I love you”
I feel so empty inside
The sorrow is so heavy
So deep
I pray God
Bring me back my princess or prince
Beautiful
Handsome
Healthy and all.
Dear Dainnese, your love for your child is evident and heartfelt. I can’t imagine the pain you’re going through. May you find comfort and healing in time. Sending you strength and love. Your little angel will always be a part of you.
You have been through so much in your life, and yet your heart is still so warm and loving. That is a gift to yourself and to those around you. While you are grateful for the good and bad, always be most grateful for you. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of our family. <3 Lauren
Dear Beyond Me,
Bravo! This poem reminded me of Faiz “My heart, my traveler” and especially of the line “I would gladly welcome death if it were to come but once,” You’re so talented ! Can’t wait to see mroe of your work!
Pure determination and new promises packed along with
her black t-shirt that boldly said, “Laugh More, Bitch Less.”
She was grit, she was fierce.
She wasn’t afraid to travel in an RV with her new boyfriend,
landing in Montana mountains as a young black beautiful woman -hiking on flat trails where chokecherries partied near creeks , dealing with strong winds that chapped her cheeks, and witnessing how the snow packed and spread over the land, emphasizing the mountain tops.
She was cascading to her new dreams, her first brave trip out of the family nest.
she shimmered, she shined.
if you were lucky enough to see her smile – unforgettable like Natalee and Nat King Cole singing.
that is why WHEN she went missing –
no cellphone life, no social media snapchats, we knew something was wrong .
So, us, her siblings/besties put on the song Fugees –“ Gonna Find You”
We went.
Missing women.
Missing men.
Missing kids.
MISSING YOU.
WE FOUND YOU.
MURDERED.
Pure determination, pure promises.
Shimmer and Shine.
Christina, your strength shines through your words. I’m so sorry for the loss of your sibling. Your determination to find them and the pain of discovering their fate is heart-wrenching. Sending you love and support during this difficult time. 💔
My dear,
My beautiful one.
Oh, how I wish to feel your touch again.
To hear your sigh as you pass through the door.
To look, just once more, into your crystal eyes.
Oh, how I wish that I didn’t have to wish.
Macy, your words convey a deep longing and sorrow. I’m truly sorry for your loss. The pain of missing someone is immeasurable. Sending you love and support during this time. 💔
Thinking about my goals for the new year makes me crouch in my seat when I should sit up straight proud because I got there
my brain BURSTS mulling over ANY AND EVERY GOAL so I take this time to look at them as a WHOLE
What do I have to do to complete this puzzle piece that is comprised of EVERY SINGLE GOAL
Being CONFIDENT and PROUD of what I have done should give me all the reason to continue to strive for SUCCESS this season
There is truly no reason why 2024 can NOT be a BREAKTHROUGH season
As I invision proceeding and SUCCEEDING in life the reason I haven’t had my break through moment is easy
My potential is like the AIR you can NEVER have too much to spare
I don’t dare to prepare to jump into the limit-LESS air BUT I am AFRAID of that STARE or smile that will inevitably be there (at least according to ME) to COMPARE
If I dare to run the race that is LIFE and I WIN I will FOREVER WONDER if crossing that finish line FIRST was FAIR
I think about EVERYONE ELSE who CAN be there
Most certainly the guy with the limp is NOT supposed to be there (or so MYSELF thinks)
But I tell myself if I do NOT run the race (LIFE) like I BELONG it will only be UN-used air and WASTED air just means in the end I did NOT care and I MYSELF CARE
Wow Jake! This is a fantastic and insightful piece. You are right! Your potential is limitless. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being such a wonderful and special part of our community.
was my resolution for this year,
at least the most public-facing
awkward disheartening and uninspiring
response, painfully clipped for the
question that I dreaded
and hoped to avoid.
Giving glitz to my hopefully mundane Monday
sitting in my dad’s living room
for the only holiday we promised to him year after year
secretly too excited for the celebratory sips…
and every one in-between
Listening to his fiancée excitedly answer
this question for herself with pristine palatable promise
teaching her graduate classes staying true to herself
and making measurable progress
I…was desperately shying away from this year.
Cowering in the reality of all the
time that had passed. Running from the
truth that now another graduating class
could toast its glass
and the word “just” had to retire in a tired slink
before I scramble to explain the limbo
of “What’s going on with me?”
Lagging, lacking, looking
I was supposed to, so supposedly set up for
so much, so many saw and swore I’d soar
like the bubbles in my drink
Now nothing.
While I dared not utter it
and draw attention to my unimpressive flailing
My true hope for this year, was for an end to the waiting
To begin my life and actual Post-Grad Living and
wake up excited instead of no more than
at peace with how I’m living,
with kind of valid work connected
somewhat to what I enjoy doing
To be able to picture the future. Being able to see something
Sometimes it feels like it symbolizes no
longer existing
But this year I will walk away certified
learn the law of language and the art of icing
and placate the inner child
who sought peace these last few months
In the most mundane of things,
an opportunity to dress in costume,
a sip of boba tea, the chorus of a musical piece
My goal for this year is to see the other end
to thrive, reminisce on the strife and how impatient
I was for a change in my life
chuckle lightly about my dramatic theatrics
And relish in the fact that after all,
I survived
First things first, this is well-written! It’s a great piece! Secondly, it sounds like you are really hard on yourself. I can tell because I am the same way. You don’t need to figure out your whole life right away. Take one day at a time. Be patient with yourself. Sometimes you got to go after what you want and other times you have to be a little…read more
Another 1st of the year
Another round of
“”resolution-ists’ bullshit”
Another set..of another pair..
Of numbers.
No, no. No more numbers.
Just the year of
The More and The Less-es.
The Simples.
more kitchen ballet dances.
less quiet cries.
more lyrics that get ya
less of the ones
that were used..
simply to manipulate
you.
more ‘look how far we’ve come’ s
less ‘i’m supposed to be so much further’ s
More of the simply Simples.
More–
“i’m sorry i hurt you.”
“i’m here if you wanna talk.”
“we can get through this.”
“how can i help?”
“it’s gonna get better.”
“thanks for having my back.”
“i got you–always.”
“you’re stuck with me..”
“–promise?”
Always.
I literally said out loud “Awww” when I finished reading this. I can feel your heart in this piece. Don’t be afraid to have fair boundaries and expectations from yourself and others. No excuses. You are so worthy. This is the year you are going to maintain what I call your circle of peace. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of our…read more
I literally said out loud “Awww” when I finished reading this. I can feel your heart in this piece. Don’t be afraid to have fair boundaries and expectations from yourself and others. No excuses. You are so worthy. This is the year you are going to maintain what I call your circle of peace. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of our…read more
The expectations I set forth
Will allow me to light the torch
To a productive and successful 2024
Far beyond my imagination
This is the year of fulfillment
This is the year of new beginnings
This is the year that my consistency pays off
This is the year my dreams are my reality
My destiny awaits
I cherish the days of people saying
I always knew you would
I always knew you were talented
Not that I need the recognition
But I would be grateful that they were paying attention
I’m ready to enjoy the talent I was blessed with
Sharing it with the masses
I’m ready for my creativity to be heard
As well as read in the pages of my 1st poetry book
1 of my biggest goals this year
Is to release a body of work
That represents me before I turn 40
This is the year
This is the year I dreamt of
This is the year that it all happens
Ain’t nothing going to stop me but me
That’s why this is the year of endless possibilities!
Aww Tracy! I love this. Happy 40th year! When you publish your book, let me know! We will promote it!! So many great things ahead. I love the power and confidence that you exude in this piece. This is your year and I am all here for it. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for being part of our community. You are a shining star. <3 Lauren
This is it Ralph
You’ve been gone for a while but it’s time to reappear
The pressure is all around you
Are you going to give in to the doubt?
Let the fear interfere?
Make excuses for yourself like you’ve done so for years,
As you sit back and watch your inner demons steer
Or are you finally going to take back wheel,
Show the world and make things clear
Of Ralph’s resilience, who he really is, and why he’s here
The choices you’ve made and the choices in sight,
Are the two factors in the equation that you call your life
What have you done,
And what will you do with this story you write?
What visions do you see? Any pinnacles you’ll reach?
What mountains will you climb? What goals do you strive,
To accomplish in the physical as well as ones that are deep inside?
A year from today, what achievements do you hope to provide?
I’d have learned to break the shackles I’m confined,
To within the cage of my mind
To stop looking at the past and start paving a new path,
Of leaving an impact
To use my God given talent, and not stand on the sidelines
To walk outside the lines,
Of my comfort where I often reside
I will find a way to better coexist,
With the inner demons that lie,
Within me
I’d have learned to break the shackles I’m confined,
To within the cage of my mind
To stop looking at the past and start paving a new path,
Of leaving an impact
To use my God given talent, and not stand on the sidelines
To walk outside the lines,
Of my comfort where I often reside
I will find a way to better coexist,
With the inner demons that lie,
Within me
I will learn new things
Learn new places
Learn new limits, and exceed old ones
This year
I will keep my eyes set on the big dream
I will keep it alive
The blinding lights
The deafening rumble of the speakers all around the venue
Roaring out the words I’ve woven together
Looking out at hundreds,
Thousands,
Simultaneously doing the same
Simultaneously healing any pain,
We may have been going through
But for now
For this year,
I’ll release the music that hundreds,
Thousands,
Will choose to overlook
With words that will roar out speakers,
of the most most humble venue
My room
Knowing all this,
I will still release the music
Solely,
Because I want to
Because I need to.
This year
I’ll learn hope
I’ll learn perseverance
I’ll learn discipline
I’ll learn growth
I’ll learn patience
I’ll learn success
I’ll learn those,
And I’ll learn me
I’ve seen your fight, and you’ve fought well
This next one is a little different
But I can tell,
You have what it takes
You must get out your shell
Do everything you said you will
Dust yourself off, get out that imaginary cell
Stick to your gut, and you will prevail
Make the tears worth it
Make the world see
Go ahead and put the work in,
And the people will soon enough believe
Thank you for having this talk with me
Or rather, with yourself
Afterall,
You are me, and I am you
The thing is, you know me
But I can’t know you unless I live the rest of my life,
The same exact way you have
You’re right
But unfortunately,
I’m unable to give you more, and our time is up
Don’t worry
You just proved to me you have everything you need
I hope that one day you can come back,
And view these words as me
If you can do that,
That’s when you’ll know
Know what?
You’ll see
Farewell Ralph,
From here on out you’ll need to turn it up a few gears
Everything you want:
It all,
Starts,
This,
Year.
Raphael!!!! This is so so good and extremely powerful. It sounds like there is so much greatness inside of you that is eager to come out. Let go of what hurt you and use that fire inside of you to propel you forward.
I appreciate the feedback Lauren, thank you very much. I remember spending literally the whole day working on this whole piece but that little part is definitely one of my favorite parts of it as well.