The sound reverberates in my ears
It vibrates across my skin
As the applause rolls out of the
Blackness beyond the spotlight
Time slows
As a radiant smile stretches
Across my beaming face
I bow once
Twice
I bring my hand to my breast
As I appreciate the accolades
For my dedicated performance
-gws
There it is
My second wind
I feel the surge
I see the win
All doubt cast out
The race is mine
I see my in
It is my time
-gws
Gold, yellow, red
A carpet of leaves
It crunched beneath their feet
As they played in the light of the golden afternoon
Cheeks rosey and hair wild
Autumn had come
-gws
I got this
I can balance career and family
I got this
I can plan the birthday party
And bake for the PTA fundraiser
I got this
I can drop one kid at dance class
And drop the other at karate
I got this
I can cook dinner
And help with homework
But a little help once in a while
Would be nice
-gws
Tears paint salty paths down my cheeks
Blood rushes in my ears
Like the sound of hard rain beating down
Violent sobs convulse me
It is all I can do to breathe
I am immobilized by my devastation
Why me?
Why now?
Why this way?
Why at all?
What have I done to deserve this fate?
My life has walked off a cliff
And is now decimated on the sharp rocks
Espoused to the violent sea
There is no place lower than this
There is no pain deeper than this
I raise my face to the sky
It is painted in the softest, light-kissed pastels
Rays of the setting sun arch up from the horizon
The beauty delivers me from my inner torment
Long enough to remember this pain will not last forever
This trauma is not an end of me
But a door into a new beginning for me
I am reminded that to appreciate the beauty of the light
One must experience the depth of darkness
And when I'm ready
I shall emerge a new version of myself
Scarred and tender
But wiser and smarter for it
-gws
My cup runs over My wildest dreams come true I take in all the blessings Of this life I've built with you -gws
Not one more thing Not one more yes I am overburndened Overwhelmed I can no longer carry mine and yours I am not Atlas I am not super human My cape and costume Are permanently at the cleaners You will have to carry your own load You will need to step up Not one more minute Not one more mile I cannot shoulder any more Now I must begin letting go To save myself -gws
I am overflowing emotions
Joy
Love
Kindness
I am bursting inspiration
Word
Color
Song
I am lead by my instincts
Quiet knowing
Persistent pulling
Otherworldly trust
I am open to receive
I am open to give
I am broken open and on display
No censorship
No editing
I am fully embodied
I am connections waiting to be made
I am heart bonds ready to be forged
I am ready to be seen and heard
I am ready to receive all that is meant for me
-gws
The night is filled with shooting stars But it all stands still for me I am arrested by the smell of you Feel of you Taste of you This moment I thought would never come This fantasy realized Held in my hands My arms My heart This moment that I have longed for Hoped for Dreamed of Every breath Sigh Touch Fluttering heart beat I collect them into a mosaic of moments The story of tonight The night when all I dreamed of came true -gws
Such a pretty cage I sit inside It is a gilded cage Built from my pride Sealed by my fear Constrained by my guilt No one draws near This prison I built My eyes shut so tight I white-knuckle the perch I deny the light My existence besmerched The jailer knows mercy She offers the key I must find myself worthy For my jailer is me -gws
Words Wishes and Wisdom 