I have to be stupid to believe your words
I had to be crazy to think you were different
I have to be insane to want you to want me
I had to be naive to believe your facade

We have to start talking to get over this
We have to start breathing to live again
We have to get over our stupid problems
We have to bring this darkness to its needed end

- Elaina Cook

You come to me like a shining star from the starry sky
Giving me guiding light and inspiration is my darkest night
Making me sing a new melody at lonesome days as it passes by
Taking away weariness, with your beautiful smiles

You’re the sunshine that sprouts seeds at twilight of my life
That brings new vision, new challenges to live without strife
As your nocturnal cries awaken the birds to fly high and be free
Unafraid of whatever strong winds that may come their way

You’re the rain that washes away the pain of my haunting past
Keeping me dry with your warm thoughts and lively eyes
Where colorful butterflies give beautiful thoughts for tomorrow
That paints enchanting, magnificent rainbow in my new heaven

Thy laughter and mimicry is a cool breeze that fans streams
To perk up waterfalls around me to strum sonorous rhythm
Sharing sonata to the valleys and hills that are dry and lifeless
Liken to my heart that needs love, sympathy, care and praises

Oh! How blessed am I to have you my beautiful wife
Abundant oasis of hope that waters henceforth life’s emptiness
Ushering in more blessings of love, peace and success in me
Had been elusive in years I lived in lifelessness and shame!

- Herofil Olarte

A hug is to make you feel safe
and to let you know I care.
It’s to make the fearful moments,
a little easier to bear.

When I have my arms around you,
I feel no worries or alarm.
It’s then I know without a doubt,
to you there can come no harm.

But if we were to look more closely,
the truth we’d clearly see.
The hugs we share to comfort you,
are really helping me.

Your hugs fill an empty place,
that’s been in my heart for years
A hug from you is the best way,
to dry up these age old tears.

- Bart Adams

- Jackie Hergh

A week later, she moved in.
Prettier than the first, the baby thought.
Reds, pinks, oranges flutter about
A touch of lipstick, a dab of rouge
We have a party to attend, after all,
(There’s always a party)
And you’re not invited!
Wails go unheeded
Feminine tantrums pampered.
Diapers everywhere
What’s the maid for, after all?
All alone at night?
You know I’m scared of the dark.
What happened to the occasional cuddles?
The tickles, the giggles, the tucking in?
A separate room?
Privacy?
(What’s that?)
Whims are adored,
Milk bottles ignored
(It was only an inch away)
The maid’s here overtime
At least she smiles
I thought he liked me…
I could be wrong.
He seems happier
But I miss the first smiles,
The first park totters
The first family videos-the laughs, the love
I want to be a part,
The toys are cute,
They’re still not you.

Arguments erupt,
Fights pick up,
He screams, she screams,
There’s banging and clanging.
There’s more fluttering-scarves, skirts, photo-frames,
A swish of black, a begging follower
The door slams
Cries, screams, pleadings
(No! No! Don’t go!)

He bursts in
(It’s nice to see him again)
It’s all because of you!
You won’t stop crying, wailing.
Why don’t you shut up?
See what you’ve done!
Now another’s gone.
Guilty hugs, fake apologies ensue,
Reminiscences of old.
(Where were you all this time?)

The maid was early
(The baby glad)
But she stood perplexed in the hall
Don’t leave me, too!
She blushes and tugs at her plait
Man smiles
(Relieved)
She trots into my room
And my six month old hazels
Beheld my third mother.

- Suchaita Tenneti

- Sonia Banda

- Brittany Tinkham

It rains
It stops
then you smile

one fine day
in my sweetest
morning delight
sleepless even
at night

without a fight,
you conquered me
where dreams
seem so right

you give life
and add colors
in my dying sight
I feel the adrenalin
in my veins
my heart goes faster
as you appear
you let time
pause and disappear

your lovely face
at first sight
lasts forever

your passion
captured me by heart
the day you smiled
making life worth
to survive

oh dear God,
let me have you
as I grow old
through this life
my loveliest sight
who gives light

don’t ever go,
let your light
shine the path
of my long lost life

for I will be
the knight
who try to fight
and love you
with all his might

for I will offer you
my life, my heart
just to have you
at this side
to be my precious
and only life

dear God, let
my one and only
heavenly light
who shines, give hopes
in my darkest fight be
the only meaning
and center
of my one last
new life…

- Herofil Olarte

The tears slowly wet her cheeks,
As she counts the past in terms of weeks,
Drawing faint hearts on the page,
Knowing that this would always age.

But failing to see why things would fold,
Looking deeply depressed and feeling cold,
Thinking things just aren’t right,
As she lays alone all through the night.

She closes her eyes and drifts to sleep,
Seeing him with every heartbeat,
Touching his lips and holding him so,
Telling him she’ll never let go.

She looks into his deep, dark eyes,
And knows the past wasn’t hidden in lies,
Their lips touch gently and in she leans,
This seams so real, it can’t be a dream.

It feels as though this should be fate,
But soon enough she slowly awakes,
To lay alone and still on the floor,
Wishing to have this back once more.

- Sara