But not the same again

I just pray

There'll be a day

When I see you smile

One last time

Of my story

Which just started

With felony charges

I'm terrified

It's going to end

With me down a child

The only thing

I can think to do

Is love him more

But

I can't

Even

Find him

My whole heart

My whole world

My raison d'etre

I can't find it

To hold him

And remind him

IT WILL BE OKAY

I don't know how to do this

But

I guess

That's been the story of my life

Now hasn't it

@ledlevee, @Rug, @ferryman and @MeeJong created the following word list which was themed "holding on":

Love

Knot

Tether

Hand

Smother

Heart

Keeper

Pain

Hook

Grip

Chain

Embrace

Summon

Last

Suffering

Loss

They used the list to write a poem with the theme of "letting go":

It’s hard to let go when you’re tied

in twisted knots

When tethered hands bind you

to the ones you've lost.

The love in your heart

Equals a hand you can’t hold

Sweet suffering

Seeps into my bones

As sanity slips away

Like a hooked fish

if I struggle it only makes the pain worse

A pain that has a deep grip on my soul

A squeezing, binding, wrenching grip.

If I acquiesce

The sadness could smother me

Rusted red colors my regrets,

a graffiti scrawled across cell walls.

I summoned, they came.

If I summon every bit of hurt in my tethered soul

maybe I can break the grip of these ghostly chains

Take the fight to captors of my walls

And kill the keepers of my broken will.

But what of this loss

What of my last embrace

I'm ready-made to be there for you through your hard times. Aside from possessing all of the unconditional love of being your mother, my life has hurt more than you can imagine at your age and experience. I know how to navigate the emptiness and the largeness of these heart-wrenching moments. I know how to not drown.

I know you are feeling alone because it's what I lived when I was your age, in this type of circumstance. I know a path that made the dark times darker, and I'm scared that's where you're headed (or are). I didn't know what it was like to have someone who could hear, who could understand, who even wanted to listen (without an ulterior motive). More than anything in the world, I wish you could know me right now. It's my whole job to be here for you. And I am.

I just wish you could see it.

I love you.

Mama

I was on a Zoom with some friends and the prompt was to write about what we imagine America will look like in four years but try to put a positive spin on it. Here's what I wrote.

Society

More resilient

Than we think

Decided

To take a stand

Against tyranny

And a crumbling

Of the foundations

Of democracy

More and more politicians

Resemble their constitituents

More and more hope

Was sewn

Back into the fabric

Of our society

Not that the path

Was easy

Misstep

After misstep

Caused those masses

To see through it all

To the detriment

Of global opinion

But we're a country

Of survivors

Innovators

And artists

And our soul

Cannot be crushed

So easily.

Thank you.

For being there for me

At my best

And worst

Times.

For allowing me

To emote

Even when

I feel

Less than

Human.

For holding me

For waking me

For surprising me

For nurturing me

For changing me

For loving me.

For providing me

A link

To my past

And future

Self

And

All humanity.

For teaching me

How to be heard

And

How to know

Who

Can hear me.

For connecting me

When

I need

It most

When

I need

To connect

With a ghost

When

I need

To be found

While I'm lost.

Thank you

For letting Mee

Lose myself.

Today

I will try

To see

The music

In everyone

In quiet whispers, wisdom flows,

Through the ages, deep roots grow.

Memories linger, shadows dance,

Hearts entwined in fate’s romance.

Time's embrace, a gentle sigh,

Old souls wander, never shy.

In the silence, stories breathe,

Threads of life, we weave, believe.

A Birthday Surprise the Heart Always Dreamed Of

…

To you, my wonderful Molly. May this story be a small reminder of how much you mean to me and how deeply I wish for each of your days to be as special as you are. Happy Birthday!

December 10th arrived with a true winter morning — cold but clear, with a light frost sparkling on every corner of the city. This was a special day — Molly Desmond’s birthday.

That day, Molly looked absolutely stunning. She wore a dark blue dress that highlighted her elegance and refinement. Her bright green eyes sparkled like precious gems, and her makeup, as always, was flawless, enhancing her captivating smile. The necklace around her neck was a masterpiece in itself, but it was impossible to look away, not only from it but from Molly herself — her grace, warm smile, and gentle charm drew everyone in like a magnet.

When Molly arrived at the club, her heart began to beat a little faster. A surprise awaited her here, though she still had no idea what it was. The room was filled with an atmosphere of joy and anticipation. Then, as the stage lights turned on and music filled the space, Tom Jones, the legendary singer she had dreamed of seeing, stepped onto the stage. This evening had turned into a true fairytale.

With a charming smile, Tom Jones wished her a happy birthday and performed her favorite songs, filling the room with the magic of his voice. Molly, forgetting everything around her, enjoyed every moment, feeling truly happy, as if she were in a dream.

With a smile and warmth, she thought of her friend V, who had arranged this magical evening for her. With each song, she felt more joy and wonder, realizing how special this thoughtful gesture was. As the concert came to an end, Tom Jones stepped down from the stage to personally congratulate Molly and handed her a bouquet of roses, making her glow with happiness. But the most touching moment was yet to come.

V, smiling, approached her with a small box in his hands. “This is for you, to remember this night,” he said, handing her a delicate locket with the words engraved inside: “For happiness, forever.”

Molly gently touched the locket and looked at her friend with warmth. She realized that not only the evening with Tom Jones would remain in her memory, but also this symbolic gift filled with the light of their friendship. They walked out of the club together under the soft glow of streetlights and the whisper of light December snow.

“You know, this day is one of the happiest in my life,” Molly whispered, smiling at V. He returned her warm smile and took her hand. And although the night was chilly, next to him, Molly felt only warmth and boundless comfort.

This evening stayed forever in her heart — not just as a birthday, but as a moment filled with light and sincere joy, a gift that only those who are truly dear can give.

Victoria Lunar © 2024 All rights reserved.

P.S. Every moment with you is a gift, and I want there to be many more days like this. You deserve only the very best, Molly, and I will do everything to fill your life with light and joy.