There Was No Wall (June 13th, 2016) -
As one of the first poems I'd written, this piece recognizes my sorrows of graduating/leaving behind the middle school that helped me escape major bullying/neglect of the previous one I went to. After attending the second middle school, I made new friends who included me into their community. This sentimental poem would later be included in the paper programs for our graduation, distributed to parents and teachers who attended.
I will miss being here.
I wish the end wouldn't be near.
I'll miss my mentors and teachings,
but if I'm struggling, I'll be reaching.
I came here to find a new life
because where I once was, came a lot of strife.
Where I once came from, it was depressing.
But here I am today, where I am expressing.
At that other school, I was rejected.
In this world, I now feel accepted.
That other school had too many enemies,
but I've escaped them now and I have no worries.
The teachers here have taught me so much
and if I had to choose, I'd choose a bunch.
The times I have had with everyone, I can't even explain
and wherever I go, I keep hearing my name.
But in truth, I don't think I deserve this fame.
I have so much in common with you all,
but I am saddened that I will be leaving these halls.
I will come to you when I fall and thank you so much
for making it feel like there was no wall.
Astray Acolyte (November 22nd, 2019) -
Inspired by the practice of alliteration, this whimsical piece was created within a Compost Entry - a free topic journal exercise used in my high school Creative Writing class. In regard to the title, this was the first usage of three within the context of my work catalog.
Craved Cranium, quit converting the citizens cranky.
Many minds marvel maliciously, making many mope.
Atrocious avalanches making agitators angry.
Drama’s dragging out, dancing with the devil on dope.
Find myself fighting fire, flirting with my fears.
Held in hysteria, hesitant to heal the hurt.
Tinkering too much, torturing tirelessly with tears.
Doured down, defeated and different, didn’t deserve the dirt.
Writing weird words, wandering in a wonderland.
Serving sins stupidly, starting to slumber from serendipity.
Quipping quirks, questioning everything quietly in quicksand.
Arrogance acts aggressively, advocating all my abilities.
Where was the wonderful wizard who whipped his wand
and went to wander the world?
Expecting everyone to be evangelistic,
though even he became evil and exercised his envy.
Created a catastrophe, a curse that made him chipped, crippled and curled.
Pretending proponents of his prestigious life were poor,
in principle, portions were prepared in plenty.
Negativity never numbed his narcissistic nobility.
Venturing off the very vast lands where volcanoes vigorously erupted his mind.
Getting off his grind of being kind, gossiping to the masses.
There was passion, but his brain started to spread like the ashes.
Juggling the juxtaposition of justice and judgement,
jumps away from his jack-of-all-trades.
Better off blocking the blind who berate and betray.
You can take the reins on what remains.
I Still Smile (December 2nd, 2019) -
As I was going through a difficult time in high school, I was inspired by the poet Joy Harjo, whom I learned about within my Creative Writing class. Her optimism and writings of nature gave me hope during this rough time.
I still smile.
I dance around, swaying to the tunes.
Leaving the tension of bad news.
I may look so insane.
I learn to look past the pain.
I still smile.
I smile because I can't help it.
I no longer think I'm being selfish.
Some things I do not see with my eyes.
Even when it hurts, I realize time flies
and I still smile.
I still smile, it puts my mind at ease.
I follow my faith, I don't people please.
My head held high, nice and level.
I'm strong enough to resist the Devil.
Not afraid to express who I am.
Self-assertiveness says I can.
I still smile.
Find the gratitude in your life, hold it to your heart.
Don't follow the crowd, set yourself apart.
Follow peace, you see more of the good in others.
Humanity lies within your sisters and brothers.
I'm not perfect, I still show faults.
My self-esteem shall not be put to a halt.
I still smile.
Friends come in a flurry.
Joy becomes less blurry.
I still smile.
A Scent I Can No Longer Trust (February 28th, 2020) -
Inspired by how scent can trigger memories of someone you used to know, I walked out of my Psychology class and caught a whiff in the hallway: the same scent of my ex's perfume. I felt the need to personify this sense and express my frustrations with this reminder.
You continue to return, yet we never speak.
You manage to stay alive within my mind.
Your lover could care less if I felt alone.
Not you.
You entice me into a meadow of flowers.
Filled with rich, red roses growing rampant.
Plastic emerald fields concealing weeds
that creep into the pretty image.
Why does she follow you along?
I know you share a bond so strong.
But I’d rather just be with you.
To forget and relax.
People tell me to, but I don’t know
If I’ll ever quit living in the past.
You attach yourself to others?
She’s not the only one.
You manipulate people like she does
and it’s all because you set yourself within my shoes,
only to tarnish the soles of my soul.
Bringing others with you because
you enjoy drama and misery.
Conditioned a future, only to be left with history.
I’m filled with sentimental disgust.
You don’t care about commitment, just lust.
Do you know who you are?
A Lament to a Friend (March 9th, 2020) -
In my Creative Writing class, one of our projects was to write a news-inspired poem. Though the subject matter was hard to write on, I wanted to dedicate this writing to a classmate who passed away a year and half prior. His identity will remain anonymous, out of respect for him and his family.
Nearly a year and a half, my heart howls hysterically.
Eyes wring out the tears enveloping in my shriveled hands.
I did not live alone with my lamentations.
The community cried continuously from the calamity.
Masses of classes reacted to the news.
Heart-shattered, speechless and lost, wishing you could still be here,
lighting up the room with your heart of gold that now shines in Heaven.
The voice of an angel that now sings with his brothers and sisters.
God cradled you in his arms, after your plummet from the cliffside.
I stayed behind, left with the memories and the blue-plaid ribbon
that clenches on my chest, like the pitch-black sky
illuminating the crepuscular crest.
You were compassionate, generous and humble.
Life always takes the good ones.
Sadly, that’s the way the cookie crumbles.
We miss you.
Rest in Peace, my friend.
A Message to My Nieces (March 17th, 2022) -
During my second year in college, I was taking a poetry class for a term. For one of the assignments, I wanted to dedicate a poem to my two nieces. It was written in a singular tense to personalize the reading experience to each of them individually (if they read this; I love you.)
My sweet child, are you feeling stressed?
Are you sad about how you’ve turned out?
With the pains of growing up, I’m impressed
that you never gave up, even in your doubt.
Life will get a lot more challenging over time,
a few may even want to challenge your grace.
Still, your laugh personifies a ray of sunshine
to bring light to this dark and empty place.
You inspire me to take moments to pray.
You taught me what bravery meant at a young age.
How you’ve grown, every year I always say:
I love you both and that will never change.
I will always be so proud of you;
Even when you’re feeling blue.
Always Remember (March 17th, 2022) -
In this same Poetry course, we had an opportunity to create our own "Abecedarian" Poem - those which utilize the alphabetic order of lines and sequentially start with each proceeding letter.
Always remember what makes them smile.
By all means, tell someone they’re important to you,
Cause they may cherish the courage to say it.
Don’t take, for granted, those who try.
Even if it means being honest with yourself.
For even one person can change and
Grow in many ways.
However, it’s easy to get carried away by
Insecurities you may face one day.
Just remember, it takes a while for
Knowledge to catch up with experience.
Lessons are often only understood after
Moments of significance have occurred.
Notice how far we’ve both come over the years.
Open their eyes to the greater picture.
Perhaps you don’t give them enough credit,
Quick to judge every mistake they make.
Realize it’s okay to make as many as they do,
So long as you keep trying to do better.
Taking the time for self reflection and learning to
Understand one’s self can often hold many benefits.
Vitality is often brought by those who feel content
When you highlight the good in their many days.
X-Factors often look to inspire the world.
Yet, the both of us can make a difference in little ways:
Zoom calls can provide comfort to those who feel alone.