Stranger

Trying to figure out
who this version of me is

She feels like a stranger,
but I think I might end up
liking her

-gws

Ruins

You burned every bridge
then burnt your home to ashes

Now you wonder why you stand
naked and alone in the ruins

-gws

Secret

Can you keep a secret?
Lean in close to hear
I see the wonder that you are
Whenever you draw near

You light up every room
You always seem to glow
Your spirit is so full of love
And everybody knows

You are a wonder to behold
A notch above the rest
Keep being your authentic self
You are the fucking best

-gws

Church of Poetry

I find god more easily in a room full of poets on a Thursday night than I ever did in a church full of the righteous on a Sunday morning

-gws

Everything

When you came into my life
You promised to be my everything
You destroyed everything instead
My hopes
My dreams
My confidence
My joy
My ability to love you
My ability to love me
So I made sure to take everything
When I left

-gws

Thoughts on the Autumnal Equinox 2024

This brief, beautiful 
Preview of delightful Autumn 
With her crisp chilled nights
And gray-sky mornings
Will be brutally interrupted 
By Summer strolling 
Back onto the stage
Despite having taken her bow
For a sweaty encore 
That nobody wanted

-gws

Lock That Door

When we leave a toxic relationship 
self-doubt and second guessing prevent us
From locking the door behind us

We wonder if we’ve made the right choice
We wonder if we’ve made a mistake 

If your freedom feels like liberation 
You have made the right choice 
For your long term wellbeing 

It’s time to lock that door

-gws

Bouquet

I would send you a bouquet 
Of newly sharpened pencils
If it would inspire you to
Write a different ending 
Draw a greener pasture 
Dream in color again 

-gws

The Luxury of Familiarity

I am no longer funding 
The luxury of familiarity

It has cost me too much
And offered questionable ROI

I am only entertaining thoughtful investment
In quality platonic companionship

For those interested in applying
Limited applications are being accepted

A nonrefundable fee will be assessed
And a thorough background check performed

I reserve the right to cancel the requisition at any time
And invest in my own peace instead

-gws

Ritual

I have coated my boundaries in sacred salt
Saged the walls of my mind
Served healing teas to my soul 
Soaked my dreams in moon water 
Calmed my spirits with lavender sachets 

I have removed the “welcome” mat from my doorstep 
Hung a horseshoe above my threshold 
Covered my aura in layers of steel 
Cut the cord with silver shears
All to reclaim myself from you 

-gws