Poetry

canvas paintings on easels

In My Ideal Universe

My body, mind, and soul are a solar system

Made up of hundreds of moons, millions of asteroids, and a multitude of planets

The depth of my composition largely unexplored

Joshua Tree National Park

Oasis

The sky is pale blue closer to the ragged spines of the outcroppings

girl wearing green dress wading through water

[Mama,]

Do you see me as I see myself in your reflection?

Looking down on your water that coats my skin a color I share with all 

Years and years ago 

Do you recognize me as your own?

bare tree with raindrops falling from it

Weeping Willow

What do you do when you’re sad?

I stand tall. 

I become like a tree: 

a dandelion against a bright blue sky

I, Budding Bloom

I plead and prod

For the answers to your hurt.

I wait, which is to say I wilt.

orange leaf falling on water

for evergreen

my grandfather knows trees

like I know the bark of his calloused hands

their leaves, their roots, their flowers

snow

Death may not oblige me.

We all know what happens to the body when it reaches the end of life.

streaks of pink

Love Yourself in Every Language

Start with a mantra. And a mirror. 

The same words, daily. 

burning fire with hearts

To My First Love:

The love I had for you 

I did not know where to let it rest

fairies and stardust

in the face of despair, don’t forget your fairy godmother is still there

when you look up at the night sky 

what do you see?