by Shelby Leigh
why are you living in your scars
when you have the power
to watch them heal before your eyes
Mold
my mind yearned for something greater
than what I could see
with my own eyes
and every day I thought
there was something wrong with me
because I was not happy in this life
my mind yearned for something greater
than this constant cycle of hate
but as far as my eyes can see
we live in a world
where people aren’t people
until they fit your perfect mold
Passion
because all it takes
is passion,
passion that burns
like an everlasting candle
in your soul
that is the first thing
you think of when you wake up
and the last thing you remember
as you drift asleep
if it burns out,
this does not mean
you are not passionate—
your candle just encountered
a gust of wind
and is ready to be lit again
when you are ready
for its glow
See You Soon
I remember sitting at the kitchen table
practicing my writing.
My little left hand grasped a pen
and I proudly showed off my cursive to you,
watching the admiring, toothless smile on your face.
I remember walking by you on the couch
thinking you were asleep.
I tip-toed past only to find you were tricking me.
You grabbed me and held me up
before I fell to the ground in a fit of laughter.
I remember being in awe that you
could carry me with your eighty-year-old bones.
I remember the jokes
and the choking fits
and the hospital visits
and sitting in the front row at church
watching my mom dab the tears in her eyes.
I remember the reception and the blurred vision
when I wasn't sure if I was laughing or crying
at the stories people shared of you.
I remember going home that day feeling empty
but knowing you're better off,
wherever you are.
A Reminder
remember that sometimes
it’s ok to close your eyes
and forget the world,
to think for yourself,
breathe deeply,
and do that one thing
you’ve been putting off
for months
and when you are ready
to view the world with
new-born eyes,
you will find that
the stars still shine,
the waves still crash,
the sun still rises,
and
your heart still beats.
It Ends Like This
yesterday I woke up tired
it hurt to open my eyes
and so I went back to sleep
and when I woke up again
the sun was disappearing
and I lived in the darkness
today I woke up sad
but I pushed myself to
get up and get dressed
and it hurt at first
but then I smiled at the sun
and I walked in its rays
tomorrow I'll wake up happy
and if not tomorrow
then maybe the next day
or maybe it will take me
a week or a month
but I'll get there
Shelby Leigh © 2016
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 1535597666
ISBN-13: 978-1535597661