Still eyes did look into the skies,
A mother did weep.

Little hands still cling to her fingers,
A mother did keep.

Still warm, a body did lay,
A father did dig deep.

Little hope did not dwindle,
A father did keep.

dog days
a murdered child's
        spoiled remains
   muddy the reservoir
soiled
the tap water  must be filtered
    for years to come
                in memoriam

I've stolen and I've given;
I've had victories and made mistakes;
But despite my scars,
I have a reason to march on.

I've seen birth and I've seen death;
I've conceived bliss and embraced despair;
Still throughout my trials,
I have a reason to persist.

I dream among the stars;
My vision travels the universe;
Yet above all others,
One ambition trumps the rest.

Of all the things I've done;
Of all the things I've seen;
My dream among dreams,
Has always been you.

One day you will read these lines,
maybe under a tree,
or somewhere far as the sun shines.
You will notice in these words,
all the norms and values I once mentioned
about how the world works, and how it is shaped by intention.
My voice will play in your mind.
I hope you remember me as someone
strong, sincere and kind.
…
In our world are oranges, olives and birds, but the hard truth I must tell you is this:
the world holds space for broken systems.
The same ones you profit off still hold victims-
the lives of those deemed meaningless,
and easy to risk and rid.
For those you must amplify your voice,
keep them alive and on the grid.
Life does not matter, while it flies and spins,
if you do not try and give your all from within.
For those oppressed and forgotten -
we, who remember will rise,
the rest let be rotten.

Eight years experience,
I’ll have you know,
Been working since seven
Kinda tired of it now.
No rest for the wicked,
so I’ve been told.
“Choose, him or me girls?”
“You evil *****”
“Leave, before I call the police”
“Get out the way”
“You can take the kids with you”
He doesn’t want us.
Please, girls
Daddy doesn’t want to do this.
I can smell the lies,
they flow like water now.
She looks at me,
make him leave,
don’t worry mama,
I will.
But then I look to my right
my sisters eyes
full of unshed tears.
No, I look away,
it’s my job.

I know you don’t forget me,
Don’t view my posts nor my moms.
But I did have fun Ashlee,
You helped me grow strong.

Your marriage goes well?
I’d do anything to chat.
Besides picking up my cell,
And calling you back.

Should have went out to lunch,
Two years ago,
But I thought we had much more
Time before you’d go.

Military housing,
Did you get to bring the cat?
Do you remember the kitten?
His small fur pattern hat?

You did my math,
While I did your reading.
Now we need help in those subjects,
Do the soldiers have meetings?

I’ll call you again,
Probably text before I do.
I can’t promise you when,
But I want it to be soon.