I never grew tall enough to
confidently grasp the top shelf
cereal box on the first try.
Fumbling, I’d finger its corners—
swiping mercilessly at its edges
until I could feel it fill
the curves of my desperate palm.
It gives in. Gravity assists.
Heels hit the floor.
I won again.
Back then, Persistence was my
favorite professor who always
curved the final.

I never grew mindful enough to
confidently grasp when
I should end the chase.
Writhing, I want and want—
curating the parts of myself
I think he’d like the most, but
he never turns on the light.
I collect dust. The hour hand assists.
Heels hit the floor.
I have this lesson on repeat,
and the stop button is broken.
These days, Hope has become my
favorite form of punishment
who expertly disguises herself
as wisdom.

Sometimes-
it's in stubborn  commitment ,
That impossibilities soften into possibilities .

For it's in trying that we overcome ,
And  in  persistence,
that we are remembered  above.

What's the matter Dear one?
Your shoulders are slumped
and head bent low.
Your smile is gone
and your brow burrowed.
Don't tell me you've allowed
someone to steal your light
without you putting up a **** good fight.
Now take a deep breath and inhale the Divine.
Straighten your back and hold your chin high.
You didn't come here to Earth to glide
on by
the triggers and truth bombs
or to stop asking "Why?"
You came here to show others
a laser sharp gleam in your eye
how to pick up the pieces
when you get flipped on your side.
You're here to inspire, create and make love to life.
So listen here beautiful spirit.
You can't be the leader you were born to be
if your head tilts down
showing challenge you fear it.
Eyes straight ahead as you gaze
towards your dreams.
Leave them behind proving its not as hard as it seems.
Put one foot in front of the other
as you glide into place.
The path is revealed with
light and laughter on your face.
Taking others with you as you forge
an unexplored space.
Your light is not just yours.
It's meant to shine for others to chase.

almost every day
as i walk the dogs
up the hill
two crows
wait for me
at the entrance
to the woods
they swoop low
cawing as they land
on the sign post
or sometimes simply
a matter of paces
ahead of me
hopeful
it would seem
that their display
of such bravery
is noticed and
perhaps rewarded

i couldn't help
but name them
and each time
they appear
talk to them
asking how
their day is going
while leaving
a handful
of dog kibble
as i walk on
to thank them
for their visit
in the hope
that their courage
my kindliness
time and persistence
might bring us
closer still

its May and the flowers are starting to smile
the little creatures are flying out and about
the breeze lets out heaps of warm sighs
the sky looks excited to witness the shenanigans

for so long i prayed for happiness
i never stopped;
and along the way i collected hope and faith

now it feels like every single thing is telling me
that I won , I finally won
I only know how to laugh in the places i cried

Harder to imagine, Difficult to trust
if you have the will, you gotta clutch.
                                                             -Asher Graves

I promised you I would always stay,
swore on a bond I thought would never break.
Then there came a time everything conflict
but I meant every word, every bit of it.
I can still remember myself say
That I’m with you, all the way.

I held on so tightly, refusing to let go,
my heart cracking wildly with every push-pull.
I found myself drowning in all that I know,
but I’m not one for giving up. No, I stay faithful...
I do everything that I can to lift you up.
I give anything without ever planning to stop.

And then for a moment, when I’m left alone with my dreams,
a voice pipes up asking, what about these?
And what about
me?

I march and stagger onward, far under the stars
Carrying the weight of two broken, battered relationships
and a big heavy heart that’s covered with scars.
Who ever knew it would come to this?

Vengeful memories haunt me in the night
And I pray all this pain and suffering will finally subside,
Yet for you I’ll still stand strong.
Even worn out, I’ll keep holding on.
Yes I’ll BURN alight
in hopes of winning your fight.