I can't close my eyes
tears gather.
I can't breathe
the air is stuck.
I can't gulp
my throat is tight.

I try to plant my dream,
but land is
barren

Still, I try.
Even my conscience
mocks me.

My poetry exist
with a crooked purpose—

And so,
its crooked disturbance
violates
its comfort presence.

It exists
without my consent.

- Paul P. Deratany

I thought I'd never do it
That I was the only one in the universe like me
By I think I've finally found my tribe
And I think I've finally found my reason to keep going

Silence is not
a weakness.

It's only an act
of non-violence.

It's not the fall,
but how you rise
after the fall
that defines you.

Come and weep,
Silently, tears will guide you to sleep,
As your lover comes to know,
The grave of water's undertow.
Another claimed,
In the name of explorer's fame,
A name, that once you pass on,
Will be all but gone.
Not a soul has ever carried it as close,
As you have for so long.

Don't be foolish,
Staring at the sea,
He is truly gone,

Even when the fleet comes rolling in,
You won't have that kiss at dawn,
He promised you as he left.
So hang your lonesome head,
The worst is yet to come,
Fill his grave with sea things,
It's all that's left of him anymore.
Your life together,
Now ancient lore,
Lock it up,
Before you wake up.

Like a bus stop,
my heart was
to you.

You came,
stayed briefly,
then left -

like it was nothing,
as if it were
made of concrete.

We talk about the
past like it's a
movie we
watched together.
You liked the
cinematography.
I didn't care for the
cruelty of the
protagonist.

We disagree on the
theme, and every
scene holds different
aspects of
symbolism for us.
I'm not sure I want
there to be a sequel,
despite the good
acting.

Love will not survive
if not accompanied by trust.

I remember yesterday,
walking down the street
with crooked trees dancing
and the sun burning down
from the heavenly
sky-blue and pink skies—

Crows and winds
screaming in laughter.
Surrounded by
a crowd of souls.

The one stood out.
Like a ghost
of nightmares,
he walked past
through me.

My heart skipped
an important beat—
And there,
my heart bleeds
in blood and cold tears
from memory.