I have always been shoving them away

And saving them for another day

But they cannot wait in their cage

Any longer

They are getting stronger

One always escapes

But shut your ears

They cannot tell you

Shut your eyes

They cannot see you

But shut yourself

They cannot be you

Wait

Maybe they are lonely too

And want someone to listen

Like you do.

I'm scared. Actually I'm terrified, but fear is okay. It's human. We all know Fear. He is always right there. You look back at him, constantly checking on him to make sure he is still there, but hoping he's not. You could ignore him or run ahead as fast and far as you can, but he is there. Always. So if you can't run and you can't hide, what then? Well, you turn around and take him by the hand and walk on. Fear is what makes the world great. Without it, what is there to overcome or change? Do not be wary of Fear because he is the spark that changes it all. Take his hand and greet him like an old friend.

Younger

Kids are confusing little puzzle boxes. We frustrate over them, but we continue to try and solve them and we like it. We look down at them and try to figure out what is going on in their heads. If we were to crack one open and look inside we would go blind. Grown-ups can't see what they do. They did once, but not anymore.

You know that moment

before sleep when everything

seems to hold a

deep profound meaning.

A nightlight becomes a

symbol of your mothers love

or the speckles on your ceiling

form shapes and messages.

Every creak on the stairs

is meant for you

and your closet starts

to look really full.

Right before sleep is

when everything becomes

new and important.

But then you fall asleep

and the next morning

everything is

forgotten.

Hop on our bikes,

Mine blue, yours red,

Racing down the hill

No hands.

I'd always win.

You let me.

Thanks.

In the cafeteria,

By the windows,

Lunch with you.

Eating trail mix.

You take out the raisins.

Give them to me.

Thanks.

School hallways,

Thinking we're grownups

With our own crowd.

You don't care

About their standards,

It's only just us.

Thanks.

Tell you about

My entire day.

Spare no detail.

You always listen,

Even though

It really didn't matter.

Thanks.

He asks me out.

I say yes.

We smile, I flutter,

So excited and wouldn't

Stop talking.

You listened.

Thanks.

He becomes a jerk.

I run in crying.

You hold my hand

And tell me bad jokes,

Make me laugh.

You beat him up.

Thanks.

On the roof

With the moon

Sitting and thinking.

Grab my hand.

Tell me your truth.

I should've said it back.

I'm sorry.

The night sky is a dark nothingness

Expanding into an infinity

That makes us all seem a little smaller

Puts us all into perspective

It's not just empty though

In the right spot the whole sky lights up

Filled with the starlight of heaven

Each star a glimpse into the soul

Each shining with its individual light

That burns into the shadows of nothing

Without them the void would swallow us whole

But they are strong and steady. Always.

At first glance these lights are alone

But they aren't alone. Never alone.

Each is connected to another

Forming a shape and a story

A uniting factor that creates

Constant beauty and magic

A map guiding everyone back

The family in the corner of the sky

I am standing by the sea. Not a tropical sea, but the northern unforgiving sea. My feet are wet and I am cold, but this is where I shall stay.

Stay.

I keep hearing the pebbles crunch behind me with the weight of footsteps, but when I turn around I am still alone.

Alone.

The purple sea seems to be laughing at me. Waves going up and down, in and out. They lap at the slimy pebbles just out of my foots reach.

Reach.

It was in that moment I knew. I knew that the world would keep spinning without you and the inevitable was just that, inevitable.

I turn away from the muttering sea. Walk across the pebbles, up the path and into the void.

Alone.