Trigger warning: this poem contains material related to substance abuse. Reader discretion is advised. I know better I hate it with all I have But on day four I’m walking my dealer’s path Confused when I’m sober Wondering what went wrong Hating yourself Sacred; wondering if I will love long Flirting with it While trying … Continue reading Patient explanations #2

My son asked me the other day what I meant when I said: I love you. This is a poem I wrote inspired by my answer. When I say I love you I want you to be safe From those that harm And to feel safe Where you can lay down your arms I want … Continue reading My Answer

This is the first in a series of poems called “patient explanations.” In my professional career I work in psychiatric facilities caring for patients. This series contains the things I learned about life and mental health from those I serve. Follow my blog so you don’t miss new poems every Tuesday. Trigger Warning: this poem … Continue reading Patient Explanation #1

Have you answered the question?The one that wakes you at night Replete with unnamed fright The one you avoid with the internet and TVDrown it out with lovers and ice cream Keeping you paralyzed by anxiety Turning joyful moments to hollow sobriety An answer that leaves gods in horror Eviscerating as the question devours It’s … Continue reading The Question

We all have a box that’s ours Cardboard, hotel room, apartment, house, or car Four walls that we call home Some last for minutes some all we have known A space that belongs to us Shaded in with personality and it’s glorious Taking possession of desolation Just to remix and remake it in our own … Continue reading Dwell

The alert banner flashes across my phone screen “Mass shooting” it’s become familiar to read A thousand ghosts haunt the headlines of terrorism All inclusive carnage for adult and child victims And yet I always remember the name of the shooter But rarely recall those who were murdered Then I watch as the news helps … Continue reading Push Notification

It passed yesterday Beauty blooming back bounty Rejoice Ostara

If I see a picture frame off center I will stop and correct it Hoodie strings that aren’t even bother me I’ve thrown away sweatshirts for it Puzzles with missing pieces should be illegal Burned at the stake for it Things off center, not matching, poor alignment Patterns that don’t match, zigzag lines, uneven floor … Continue reading Incomplete

“Please check your DMs.” Always the comments “I’m an influencer.” Purchased followers if your honest Selling a fake following making money off desperation Artists with a unique voice give into temptation “Book review and promotion” just a few bucks more As you leech off their cultivated creative stores I’ve wanted the big accounts to feature … Continue reading Leech

I paused looking at her yesterday She isn’t the woman I began to date Luminous beams of joy radiate as she holds her children Her arms exhausted from tender hugs to comfort them She looks tenderly to her family And violently at forces of calamity She rises in the morning sips her coffee And gives … Continue reading Her birthday