Poetry Over the Years: The Highlights

Since the end of eighth grade (June 2016), I have found comfort within the creative outlet of writing poetry. Once I crafted my first poem for a friend in my class, I had a desire to compose more works - which I'd like to believe I inherited from my father, who wrote before me.

There Was No Wall (June 13th, 2016) -

One of the very first poems I had written, this piece acknowledges the sorrows of graduating and leaving Franklin K-8, which helped me escape from the bullying/neglect I experienced attending a previous middle school.

Franklin truly changed my life for the better: I made genuine friends who accepted me into their community, including my closest friends today and the "popular kids" of our grade, who would invite me to join them for lunch and after-school runs to Fred Meyer - which often happened on Fridays. This sentimental poem would be included in the paper programs for our class graduation, distributed to all 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 a favorite, 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) -

Intrigued by alliteration, this whimsical piece was created for a Compost Entry - a free topic journal exercise that was part of our senior year Creative Writing class. Besides this curiosity, there was no particular inspiration behind the making of the piece. However, regarding the title, this one would have the first of three usages within the context of my artistic catalog(s).

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 breakup in high school, I felt inspired by the poet Joy Harjo, whom I learned about within my Creative Writing class. Her optimism and writings of nature gave me some hope to still learn to smile.

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) -

After learning how scent can often trigger memories of someone you used to know, I walked out of my Psychology class and caught a sudden whiff of my ex's lavender-scented perfume. In order to move past this, I decided to address & personify this scent, as a means to 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 seems to take the good ones.

We miss you.

Rest in Peace, my friend.

---

A Message to My Nieces (March 17th, 2022) -

During my second year of college, I enrolled in a poetry class for one term. It had been a long time since I'd written a poem - not counting the songs I'd written. For one of our assignments, I wanted to dedicate one poem to each of 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 the same poetry course, we had an opportunity to create an "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 oneself 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.