ONCE

What once was green now stands bare.
What once was risen high is seen trodden low.
What once was bloomed now wilts and blends.
What once was mine is now at its end.

FORGIVE FORGET

Sometimes we hold onto things that are so meaningless, so unnecessary, and so pointless. All they do is ruin and destroy. Old baggage can do that. It's so useless to carry it on your back, when it should have been tossed aside so many years ago. Sometimes it's so hard to finally get the courage to forgive someone, and it's even harder to finally ask someone to forgive you. How grateful I am for Jesus Christ and the power of the Atonement. He sacrificed so much so that way we can have a way to come back to His and Heavenly Father's presence with a pure heart and without any of that baggage pushing upon our shoulders. How wonderful that is, to forgive and forget. But how even more miraculous it is to be forgiven and your actions forgotten.

FLASHES

Boom.
They quickly turn, trying to find the source of the constant sounds.
Crack.
It was now coming from another direction.
Whoosh.
A bright flash lights up the room, opening their eyes for only a second.
Thud.
The sounds and flashes are getting louder and more spastic now.
Creak.
They huddle close together while I silently stand watching. They don't know I'm here and I want to keep it that way.
Smack.
Fear is starting to cause anger and annoyance in some as they yell back, frightening the rest in the group.
Whack.
It is completely dark now, not a sound can be heard besides a pitiful whimpering from some.
And then I took my exit.

IRONIC

How ironic it is to think that all people want is to be included. To feel like they are loved and that they belong somewhere in the world. Somewhere in this vastness, there is a spot for them. Now here is the ironic part, at the same time independence and being different is important. To be their own self with their own identity. To be an individual person, with characteristics that separate them from the rest. But this must be done while trying to fit in. Trying to conform, trying to belong somewhere, trying to be different, trying to be original and unique. All at the same time.

HAD

I had put so much into that thought. I had checked my sources and ran through the different lines to use. I had rough drafted the idea in my head, deciding on my certain pauses and word choices. I had nervously raised my hand, despite my shaking and shyness. I had let my words flow, stuttering over my final draft. I had offered myself to the lions, and all they did was throw me away without even a nibble.

THOUGHTS

Silence makes my mind uneasy so I turn up the music and try to cover up my thoughts. It's as if a bomb had gone off in my head and the impact was deafening. The thoughts, I mean. But the music doesn't cover them up. How could it? They are inside, an inside that doesn't open, no visitors are allowed. The music can't reach that far, it can't penetrate into the sealed room. They weren't bad, mind you, but they were there. Annoyance, worry, anger, betrayal, confusion, confession. It was too much to think with but there was so much that I had to think. I had to try and divide them up into something...

SHRANK

My heart shrank along with my hand as I pulled it away from his. The look of complete horror and disgust had consumed his face, causing dread in mine. It wouldn't be the same now, never again.

No.
I don't want to.
I don't want to go back there.
I can't.
Please.
I can't go there again.
It almost destroyed me before.
I wouldn't survive it again.
I don't want to.
I can't.
Please.
No.

SECOND

For just one second
Her head fell, pushing hair in front of the once bright smile. Her frame hung, shoulders slouching under the pressure.
And then the second was gone.

BOOK

This is a book of which I will write as long as have this thought. The thought that nags and makes me dream of something else. You would think this would be a long book then, if I held this thought in such high esteem. But you would be wrong. For I know it is wrong. And that's all I have to say about my book of thought.

WHAT

We had all agreed. The pact was made. But why were we now running? It had been bullet proof. There was nothing lacking from our plan. Well, except for one minor detail. But that’s why we brought him along. We knew it was a risk right from the start, but I don’t think any of us would have imagined this. Now, running through the lengthy corridor I wondered, what happened? What went wrong? To be quite honest, I had no idea. And no thoughts could form in my head but curiosity and sheer panic, as sweat and blood fell down.

DON'T STOP

The stars, plantets, moon, and sun would all be at a loss. None would appreciate their beauty if they were not seen. So what are you doing, standing idly there looking towards the nothingness of stress. Don't simply stop in the middle. You will never see the bright light at the end; instead it will be a constant tease, a dream never be revealed. Some might imposter with a flame, trying to disguise, causing some to think that the end. The sunset must be ridden towards, not simply looked at from a far. In order to get there you must go.

DID

I don't know why I did,
I just know it happened.
I don't know why I would,
I just know that I did.

REGROW

Why are you on my grass, my place?
Why do you trample it so?
Why is there a steady smile across your face?
Now I need to regrow.

WEREN'T

You weren't there!
You didn't see!
You only saw!
You were far!
It wasn't real!
It wasn't your country!
Your town!
Your backyard!
Your life!
You didn't have to pick up the pieces!
You didn't have to stand there!
You didn't have to watch!
You only saw the result!
Not the pain!
Not the fear!
The horror!
The sorrow!
You weren't there!

COLD

As I walked through the wooded land white swirled all around. And its cold. I firmly tightened my coat and scarf around. But it is cold. The wind causes me to shake and the trees around. And it is cold. My pace starts moving slower as I walk around. It's so cold. And suddenly there is nothing around, but the cold.

AWAY

Take me.
Grab me.
Pull me.
To thine end.
Away from this creature
That within me stands.
Take the power of
Which that offends.
Help me to see
With sure eyes
Once again.

LEAVE

That steady smile across your face was once  my great delight.
But now I need to leave this place and continue on my flight.

LEVEL

What level? Are you saying my level is low? Are you saying your level is up high? Are you on some horse leading others around? Am I some solider that is following your command? Are you the owner of a big farm? Am I a worker with a sore back? Is it so different, your level and mine?

HAD BEEN

Sinking in the shadows.
Lying in the dust.
A sort of past that is never mentioned.
A fear that won't be named.
Paths that were once trodden.
Sights that were too much to behold.
And yet they were adored.
Things that had been.
Memories in the sand.