Twice Upon A Time

Once upon a dream
There was magic
Friends all around
Even if they were mice.
Once upon a time
There was evil
The stepmother
An evil queen.
Prince Charming existed
In all of his glory.
There was love at first sight
And happily ever after.

But I live in twice upon a dream.
Magic is all bad
And miracles happen
Once in a blue moon.
Friends don't exist
If they do
Most of them are nothing but rats
Running in circles in the hamster wheel of life.
Twice upon a time
Good exists occasionally
My mother is good
My family is alive
But most relatives
End up being whores
Perverts
Or blissfully ignorant.
Prince Charming exists
But he needs his eyes checked.
He ignores Cinderella
While he dances with the pumpkin!
There's no love at first sight
Just tangled sheets.
Happily ever after
Ends after an eternity of doubt and pain.

I live in twice upon a dream
But I yearn for
Once upon a time
So I'll go to sleep
And dream of a fairy tale
And someday
Far, far away
I'll wake up
In a far-off kingdon
In a world
Where happily ever after
Will never, ever end.

Old Poetry

If Ever I Found

If ever I found
A way to be true
I do not know
What I would do

I'd try and I'd try
To be always faithful
I'd try and I'd try
To never be hateful

But someday I know
You will break your vow
Taking my heart
I know that now

If ever I found
A way to be true
I know exactly
What I would do


A Forsaken Kiss

It was a cold day
A while ago
When you kissed me
Amidst trees and snow

I thought I would be
Glad for all time
When I was near you
Life was all rhyme

It was a cold night
When you cheated me so
You did it so suddenly
A cruel hard blow

You had found a new girl
Someone to cheat and lead on
I should have warned her then
That you could not be trusted upon

You broke my heart that day
I felt a sorrow so wide
Despite I, your bride
You took another inside

A church is a place
Of commitment and love
A wonderful place
From Almighty above

But you took another
An innocent child
To the church of Christ
So tender and mild

A forsaken kiss
Is all that it takes
To steal a woman's heart
And then make it break

Healing Rain

They say the rain will heal all things
A flood of tears
Will wash away all pain
But my pillow's soaked
My eyes are red
I don't want to cry
I'd rather be dead.

I see a place so far away
Yet so close to me
I feel the mem'ries
Come flowing down
My heart aches
The ugly gash throbs

The rain's not working
I still am hurting
Oh my God
Why? Why?
I can't stop thinking
I can't stop feeling
But all is numb.

I would think
I would be dry
No more tears left
For me to cry
Yet here they are again
Hauting me
Taunting me

I must sleep
I must dream
But I know I can't
The nightmares will come
And I'll be running
Running from him
Running to them.

They do not stop!
Scene after scene comes
Torturously close
Then I'll wake up
And begin to cry.

The floodgates open
There is no end
I am doomed to weep
Forever.

Make Me Yours

Ten o'clock at night
It's dark outside
My heart breaks
With every beat on the drums
Music is no comfort
Just a reminder of all that has been
And I just want to cry
Curl up and die
Why should I suffer?
Why feel unloved?
Just get it over with
It's just a life...

But my eyes fall
To a big leather book
The cover's worn
The pages are gray
The binding has broken
Tortured by years of love
Inside I see many things
Childish things
Serious things
Candy wrappers from youth group
Long ago.

As I read tears overflow
It says God is my help
What can man do to me?
I cry dear Jesus
Don't leave me now
I need you to be here
I need you to love me
Like your child
I need you to show me your way.

Not my will
But thine be done.

"Dear God..."

Dear God
I'm on my knees again
I just can't seem to find your light
I know it's out there
Out there somewhere
But where?
Why is it evading me?
Why do you let the pain go on?
You are love
Supposedly
You live in me
Supposedly
But I can't find your love
I can't bring myself to love

At the same time
I can't stop loving them
I miss them so
I wish they were here
They claimed your life
And now they're gone
They don't care
They don't see
How much pain they've caused
For me

Is this then
The fate of all?
A life of pain and death?
For having you,
A god of love
Reside in me,
Why do I feel little but hate?

Why, God?
Why them?
Why me?

For Megan

When people leave
A heart is broken
When they go away
A soul is wrenched
From someone helpless
When they disappear
That heart falls to the floor
And the owner of the soul
Is too afraid, too ashamed
To stop and pick it up.
They see a house,
They hear a voice
They sing a song
Even a comment
Made by a science teacher
Can bring back memories.
If there is a family
A family of four
And are all disbanded
By one thing or another
You feel like all hope is lost
What's the point?
Why go on?
But there's a reason:
One of them
Still loves you
One of them
Still cares
And one of them
No matter how far away
They get
The others get
One will always be there
There to see you through
There to love you
There to prove
There is hope yet.
Pick your heart
Off the ground
Dust it off
Save your love
For the one who truly loves you.

To My Dearest(s)....

Zany and kind
A wonderful man
Could you and I
Kiss... maybe?
After all
A dance is
Right on the road to love
One kiss will satisfy me
Needs of every other kind can be ignored
Will you take me in your arms
Envelope me with romance?
Start anew, awake
To a fresh new day
Opulent and rich
Never alone
Beside you, my darling
Ever in your arms
Never needing anything but you
Laughter
Over all else
Virgin beauty
Ever yours to see
More than anything
Ever love me.

Poetry cannot express
Love undying
Eternally yours
Always coming from me
Steal me away
Ever and ever to be mine.

A Collage of Music for My Darlings

Holding hands at midnight
'Neath a starry sky
Strolling with the one boy
Sighing sigh after sigh
'Cuz my wildest dreamings
Could not forsee
Lying beside you
With you wanting me
And just for this moment
Do you love me?
I feel you my darling
I was half afraid
I'd waken
Satisfied enough to dream
Happily I was mistaken....
I have found me a wonderful guy!
And until I die
I'll die day after day
Though not a day goes by
Not a single day
But you're somewhere
A part of my life
And it looks like you'll stay
Because no one is alone
Truly, no one is alone.
While the rain in Spain
Stays mainly in the plain
I could dance all night
I could dance
So you'd grow
Accustomed to my face
Then, oh matchmaker, matchmaker
Bring me no match
Find me no find
Catch me no catch
For I've got a matchless match!
A song
Played on a solo saxophone
Is telling me to hold you tight
And dance like it's the last night
Of the world.
I am that girl
When hands touch
And eyes meet
There's a sudden silence
Sudden heat
Hearts leap in a giddy whirl
He could be that boy
I know I'm your girl!
Together forever
We're tying a knot
That no one can sever
You think I'm a
Beautiful girl
And all five hundred
Twenty-thousand
Six hundred moments so dear
We'll measure in love
The seasons of love
You can kiss me too fiercely
Hold me too tight
And help me make
The music of the night.

The Day

The day that you glanced at me
The you said hello
The day you smiled at me
Was the day I began to live
The day you took me in your arms
The day you whispered gently to me
The day you waltzed me away
On the wings of love
The day you sang to me
The day you held me close
The day we talked for hours
We grew closer than ever
Now I quietly await
The day we'll dance again
The day your heart will beat as quickly as mine
The day our lips will touch
The day you say "I love you."

More Poetry From A Broken Heart

There is a red dress
In the store window
It has my name
Written all over it
Black and red
Sexy but chic
Rosy and innocent
Yet in every way not.
I can see myself
On the dance floor
Whirling, twirling
The lacy underskirt billows
As I spin in time to the music
I am alone
For once I do not claim music
As my one companion.
Then I see someone
Stepping from the shadows
He is tall, dark, handsome
A dream of a man.
He comes closer
Close enough to embrace me
He holds me close
I've ascended to heaven!
But then he disappears
I feel lost
Until I realize
That someone is still holding onto me.
His hands are soft
Gentle on my waist
He is closer to my height
He whispers endearments
In my ear
I feel my heart pound
I hope me doesn't hear it
Then, in an instant, he too is gone
And another is in his place.
Again much taller than me
His prickly gotee
Brushes against my hair
I lay my head on his chest
Trying to soothe
The nerves that I know
He is battling
I encourage him to laugh
To talk
To make my body shake
With laughter
Then again
I am left alone
This time no one comes
I wander from the dance floor
Waiting off to the side
Is a boy
A joyful, wonderful boy.
Someone I know well.
He sees that I am upset
He asks me what's wrong
He touches my arm
And our eyes meet
And suddenly I know
The other three were handsome
Sexy, wonderful
I saw no flaws...
But I find my heart
Skipping a beat
As we talk
As we laugh
As I cry
As we gaze at each other
I know this is finally him
The one I was meant for
He knows me
He accepts me
And he's almost my height!
I know why I've been waiting

I feel a tap on my shoulder
I snap out of my dream
I turn around
And there he is
He is smiling at me
Reminding me
I look at the dress
The sexy red and black dress
Then I turn away
I slip my arm through his
I've already forgotten the dress
I like thinking about ornamental cats much more.

Poetry From A Broken Heart: I love you Zaw(b)!

What do you do
When you find someone to love
And they do not love you in return?
What do you say
When you see them walking down the halls
Their arms around another girl's waist.
Pointing and laughing doesn't work.
Dreaming of him night after night doesn't work.
Crying until there are no more tears left to cry NEVER works.
So what do you do?
How do you mend your heart
After it's been broken.
How do you stand to go to musical
Knowing that he won't be there
Holding you, telling you special things.
Or worse.....
How can you stand to talk to him?
How can you bear to see him at his locker....
Again!
How can you hear his laughter
Or hear him sing in choir
Or feel his eyes upon you
Or let your eyes meet again
Or brush his arm in the hallway --on purpose....
With no response?
I can't.
But I can.
And I will.
Because there is always tomorrow....
Another day to laugh
Another day to cry
Another day to remember
And wish you could forget.
Another day to sing
Another day to dance
Another day to act...
A brand new day.^---------------------> For "Z"

I'm not a band geek
I'm not sorry to say.
But I like to think
What if I were....?
So much time around you
So much time listening to you
Being near you
Feeling special.
But so much time when you're angry
Or frustrated
Or a plain old jerk!
Such a schizophrenic maniac!
But I love you for it....
Even though I have no chance....
We might be a good match....
But I can't play the tuba!^ --------------------------------> for "a"

Every time I see you
You make me laugh
We are very different
Maybe...
Truly, I don't know much about you
Just your name
Your family....
And your laugh.
We see each other at youth group
You catch my eyes
And hold my gaze...
And then I look away.
I can't flirt
I'm so afraid I'm too obvious...
Am I?
Do you know
How much I love you....
Like you.....
Adore you.....
Maybe.....
Are you the one for me?
The one with whom
My match was made to be?
You flirt with me too
You make me laugh
Until tears run down my cheeks....
Then you do something
And the cycle starts all over again.
You make me smile
You make me laugh
You're a senior...
Can you like a little freshman like me?
Just keep me laughing
And I'll be happy.
But not as happy as I would be
If you would ask me to prom.....^ --------------------------------------->for "w"

I don't know if I love you
I don't know if I like you
I do know that we have much in common.
We are musicians
We have voices
And we're not afraid to make ourselves heard.
We know the same teachers
We know the same students
We know the same songs
Even the same words to the same songs in the same musicals....
We know about ornamental cats
About Phantom of the Opera
And about dancing
And we know about serving better than the rest....
After all
We were Mr. Whiteside's favorite
We were the Stanleys' favorite
Am I your favorite?
Do I stand a chance?
You were my first guy friend
You were my first co-author
In a work that was finished
Now, will you be my first boyfriend?
I count myself blessed
You said you would take me to a dance
You asked me to help you practice
You even asked me to confide in you
When there wasn't anyone I wanted to trust.
Now will you ask me the one thing that I'm longing for?
Ask me to be yours.^ -------------------------------------------------> for "(b)"

The Narrow Way

The Narrow Way

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood..." - Robert Frost

I stand before a fork in the road. I take the directions I was given out of my pocket. Surely they must be wrong! I stare down the road I'm supposed to take, a narrow, dark, miniscule pathway. The dust is clogged with small gravelly stones, and on either side is a wall of brambles. This must be the wrong one! Turning, I look down the road to the left. Blossoming roses send a sweet fragrance to me, beckoning, waving in a gentle breeze. Smiling, I pluck one from its branch's thorny grasp and tuck it behind my ear. My feet begin to move as I look up at the eternal blue sky.

I throw one last glance over my shoulder before entering the rose arch. A burst of excitement goes down my spine, and I shiver with pleasure. This is the right way, I know it! To the side of the road, a couple lays sleeping. The man's tanned body is exposed completely, and his partner's pale, naked skin glints in the bright sunlight. He holds her close, his hands running up and down her body. They seem entwined in some odd dance as she smiles slightly and pulls closer to him.

I turn away, ashamed for having watched this outward display of intimacy. I move on, without so much as a glance behind me. I walk for about ten minutes before coming upon two more people, this time in what appears to be a hospital room. The girl seems to be the same, but beside her is a different man. She is holding his hand tightly. A doctor in a long white coat comes in, needle in hand. He injects the needle into the girl's slightly rounded abdomen. She grips the man's hand as a wave of nausea flows through her. The doctor orders her to get up and walk, which she does.

There is something familiar about this girl, but where might I have seen her before? I shrug and turn away, going on. After an hour of steady walking, I meet the girl again. This time she appears to be about twenty-three instead of sixteen. Her auburn hair is swept up in a bun, and a veil frames her face. She wears a gown of pure white satin, and the same man who was with her in the abortion clinic now stands before his radiant bride. He gently takes her hands in his larger ones as he repeats after a tall minister, "I promise to love, honor, cherish, and obey until death do we part." The smiling young woman says her vows and they kiss. Tears of joy are in her eyes as the preacher pronounces them man and wife.

Who is she? I know her, I know her husband! I am befuddled by my lack of recognition. Where could I know her from? Minutes later, I find her playing with a little girl and boy. They look just like her, and well they might, for they are her children. A smile dances on her lips and in her eyes as she watches them. Suddenly, the little girl darts out in the street. Her mother rushes after her, but it is too late. As they both crash to the ground, a car slams on its breaks and squeals to a halt. The woman's child has no chance of survival.

"Oh, my god!" cries the driver. She pulls a cell phone from her purse and punches three numbers. Shortly, sirens are screaming and wailing up the street. Paramedics rush out and lay the woman and her daughter on stretchers. They are whisked away in a panic of lights and sirens.

I am frightened now. I begin to run, farther away from the horrors with every step. I understand why I recognize her now. As my history catches up with me, I see that I am that woman. I go faster, not stopping to acknowledge the tiny, freshly-made grave bearing the inscription Elana Grace, beloved daughter. Fear is pounding in my heart. I cannot keep going! I stop, exhausted, and fall to the ground before another scene. Again in a hospital, I see myself writhing in pain on the high bed. The sheets are wet with blood, and a shriek echoes across the room. With one hand I grasp my swollen stomach, with the other I squeeze the hand of my husband. There is a small pause between one contraction and the next, but not enough. I push hard, and with a smack the baby's tiny head slips out. One more push, and the body is laying on the bed.

The doctor smacks the baby's bottom, but the child does not respond. “I'm sorry. You had a little girl.”

“No!” I cry out loud. I struggle to my feet and move on, past the scene, past another grave: Christine Elizabeth, beloved daughter. I am slowing down. I cannot go on! Again I slip down to the dark earth. Sobbing heavily, I look up. Before me is another image of myself. In my right hand I hold a sharp kitchen knife. On my wrist is a puffy, red slash. My son is watching from the doorway, crying. I cast him a glance of mixed sorrow and relief.

I try to tear my gaze from the terrors before me, but I cannot. I haven't noticed the many miles yet before me. I close my eyes and curl up in the dirt, wailing, tears blurring my vision. A hand touches my shoulder. I turn around, and a figure in white beckons to me.

“Come unto me, and I will give you rest,” He says in a soft, comforting voice. I look into his gentle yet majestic face, then down at his hands. I turn my arms over and show him my cutting scars. He smiles, and turns over His hands. In each wrist is a scar. A nail scar. He wraps his arms around me in a fatherly way.

“Father, forgive her, for she knows not what she's done.” At the sound of His voice, my tears cease to flow. Something makes me look at my arms, and I am shocked to see my scars disappear. A smile begins to burn inside of me, and I begin to laugh. He chuckles with me, then raises me up as a king might a servant or knight. He reaches into His cloak and pulls out a warm, velvet wrap. “Come, my child. You have chosen the wrong path, but you may still choose the right. It will not always be easy, but it will bring you home in the end. You will come home to me.” He smiles and I smile back. “Pick up your cross and follow me!”

I nod, and feel a great weight on my shoulders. “Trust in me and your burden will be lightened.” The weight is still there, but much easier to bear. With a wave of his hand, the things around me vanish and I am standing upon the very road which I had scorned. I look up. Before me stands my husband and our son. He opens his arms to me and I rush to him. We kiss, and begin down the straight, narrow road. I turn back, but Christ is no longer visible. Yet all around me are his words, “You will come home to me.” I glance up at my husband, who smiles at me knowingly. And then, together, we begin to go home.

Teenaged Love

I cry
I laugh
I mourn
I sing

I dance
I swear
I pray
I stare

I love
I hate
I praise
Is it too late?

I weep
I sob
Who am I?
I need a life!

Why must I always be
Torn in two?
Between my love of life
And my love of you

Do I flee?
Do I stay?
Full of glee
Or filled with hate?

Can I allow myself
That which has been denied?
Can I grant to you
What is not mine to give?

Can I ever love again?
Will I ever try?
The moment I begin
I see you!

Oh, what if I agree
What horrors wait for me?
In this....
My life without you!

Finding Myself

Finding myself
Stuck without words.

How could they leave?
How could they go?
How could they abandon me?

I hear Ohio's nice
This time or year
But it's a place for me to fear.

Delaware is great
So far away.
I'm sure it's wonderful
Not to have to deal with me.

Tennessee sure is swell
Or so I've heard.
But I wonder just how well
They deal with weddings.

Montandon's great
But that place I hate.
How could I have known
What memories could do?

A North Carolina beach house
Would be cool
For some, I'm sure
There'd be a better school.

Avon Grove is neat
But wouldn't it be sweet
If for once
Mifflinburg was home?

An Air Force Base
Is a frightening place
But even so
I'll bet that's where they'd rather be.

Despite its problems,
The South has good things, too.
Georgia, Tennessee
What better place to be?

Beautiful countryside
Is part of Union County.
But one of the best homes
Is that of a music teacher.

Why is it
That every time I trust
Every time I try to live
I get left in the dust?

How could they leave?
How could they go?
How could they abandon me?

Finding myself
Stuck without words.

Spring

In the green grass
On a hill far away
Little ones without care
Take a day to play.
They frolic and romp
In the prime of their youth
They've nothing to do
In the spring-time dew.

Summer comes
With both freedom and cares
No longer able to laugh and run
Teenagers await their destinies.
Where will they go?
Who will they love?
Who will love them in return?

The world turns
Autumn claims her throne
As the heat and passion of summer
Fades to cool, rugged beauty.
Adults scurry about
Too busy for anyone
Except themselves.
Not a second can be spared.

As a white winter emerges
Life slows to a halt
The hair of the children
Is now gray, not flaxen.
They can play no longer
They sit and wait,
Some in peace,
Others in agony

The deathly chill is thawed
Spring returns
And new children gather
To have fun all day.
Life is sweet
To the end
But shouldn't we all try
To be children again?

Life

Barbies,
Baby dolls
Picture books.

Makeup
Clothes
Romancs novels.

Essays
Term papers
Thick textbooks.

Keys
Purses
Business suits.

White shoes
White dress
Two-carat diamond.

Rocking chair
Tiny clothes
A head on your shoulder.

Backpack
Sneakers
Report cards.

Hard-core music
Black clothes
Sneaking out at night.

A lonely house
Nothing but the creak
Of your old rocking chair.

A new baby girl
Barbies, baby dolls
And picture books.

Remember When

Remember when
You were a child?
As innocent as a lamb.
Remember when
You turned five?
Celebrations galore.
Remember when
You were a preteen?
Double-digit fever.
Remember when
You turned thirteen?
Never once did you think that life would crush you to bits.
Remember when
You were a single mother?
Age eighteen.
Remember when
You were wed?
Prince Charming had finally come.
Remember when
Your baby had her tenth birthday?
Not as innocent as before.
Remember when
Your daughter got pregnant?
She was fifteen.
Remember when
Your granddaughter was born?
And your little girl laid down her life for her baby?
Remember when
Your young grandchild
Only wanted to be your princess?
Remember when
She, too, grew older?
No longer Cinderella at the ball.
Remember when
She became a Christian?
And you realized that you needed what she had?
Remember when
She came home crying?
She had turned down her boyfriend's proposal.
Remember when
She moved away?
And you were left with your memories?
Remember when
You lay old,
Thinking you were going to die?
Remember?
When you needed her most, she flew home to you.
Remember?
The first thing she said was I love you.
The second was
“Remember when?”