Freshly Dusted

It’s Christmas morning, And the bells are ringing, It’s Christmas Morning, Somewhere angels are singing. It’s Christmas morning, And with hearts all aglow, Somewhere children are playing With laughter in snow. It’s Christmas morning, And here there is strife, Hardship and anger, sharper Than the coldest knife. It’s Christmas morning, And here there is hate, Spilt heedlessly like rice, Mending efforts come too...

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I have recently begun to work on my graphic design skills. Cover art is something that I enjoy, and I am working on honing my skills in the area as well. ...

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Dilapidated loneliness Rolls off the tongue, Like nefarious and brokenness, And disease of the lung. Abject and departure, Hate and despair, All seek to nurture, Yet none to repair. Not one of them right, All of them kind, Shining like light, In a darkened mind. Shattered discontinuity, Lend to me, For the meaning of ambiguity, I have yet to see. ...

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The bonds attach themselves to my wrist, Laying down their marks in my pale skin. Another numerical value on the list, Another prisoner, victim of disease.  "This won't hurt a bit, Broken as you are." they say. "Don't worry about the fit, Our chains come in all sizes." I hope for second chances, Lying prone on the doctor's table. I pretend I don't...

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Another decade draws to a close, And the nostalgia hits too hard. Dropped like a bowling ball on broken toes, Finally, 2020’s silent bard.  A green peach tumbles through my mind. The liquid runs down my chin. The first taste of being left behind, The first cookie from the tin. It is the glove that did not fit, And of diving for the...

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When the crooked willow finally fell, a booming noise ripped through the dismal afternoon storm. Its demise had been predicted for years before, weathered as the plant had been from years of elemental abuse. Thus, for the others who looked on from the castle windows, the broken wood and scattered leaves meant simply something to break into firewood the next morning. Yet, for...

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I thought I was a lion, Ripping my way through enemies, Roaring for what I believe in, And never being quiet enough To give into the monotony of the crowd. I thought I had a loyal pack That was ready to follow me into battle, Unquestionably at my side. Another who would sweep me off my feet If I really wanted them to....

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When I was young, I was dropped into a fire That broke my face and left it marred. Just a monster climbing higher, But from normal pursuits barred. I ignore the stares across my chest, As I hold my broken head high. There is only me to try my best But it is so much easier to lie— And cover my face with...

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We don’t give thanks in the usual way, With a yellow turkey stuffed full. There are no children gone astray, And family prayers are null. We don’t celebrate around a golden feast, A table for ten, and some cranberry wine. We don’t take a steely knife to the beast, That would be crossing a line. “How can you have a Thanksgiving If you...

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From slumber dark and deep Here does an angel leap. A specter, clothed in white, Settled here to spend the night. A rasping breath adds to the noise Of deathly silence’s cherished toys. The angel’s garments shift to black, And I so deeply feel my lack. The dawn breaks from behind a cloud, Heaven’s triumph at last allowed. And from this dream doth...

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Golden roses wilting And their petals are falling fast. The voices are soft and lilting Because diseased flowers never last. An eye blearily opening, Takes in the light of dawn, That shimmers from the windows For moments before it's gone. From slumber doth the villain peek, Glad for another day, But better still to turn aside And fall asleep to stay. In all...

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Why is my heart as cold As a December in Maine? Why am I so bold, Always searching for more pain? Why does the imagery of frozen woods And crisp November skies, Always sink me into thoughtful moods, Contemplating the meaning of these lies? Why is my fear as hot, As Texas in July? I try to force it down, but it’s not...

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“Hey, you mind if I sit here?” the girl asked, propping her burger against her chest, already slinging her backpack to the ground. The four of us looked up surprised, sliding over to make room on the green picnic bench while she ate, boldly licking excess mustard from her fingers. Considering myself the leader of the four -now five- of us, I initiated...

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The girl with the untied shoes Met my eyes from across the room. I looked away and when I looked again She was talking with others. Rocky Road stained her lips, Her sisters stole her attention. I moved closer, cleaning the table behind hers, But she didn't even look up. And then, as they were leaving the ice-cream place, She met my eyes...

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The winds of time break my soul, Like waters on the beach. Their polluted toll Has become too high to pay. The pain from years of holding back Hurts when I caress what is left. Again, I feel my lack, And I lash out against the creations of man. Man has spoiled my domain With his unfeeling heart. I relish in his pain...

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Hanging on a precipice Half awake and half asleep. In dreams where nothing is amiss, I long for the abyss. Stretching to the sky, I smile to be free. Flying to the stars so high, Far from the trappings that hold me. Then I look at what I left behind, Resting on that bed. It’s so easy to drift in wind: To free...

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 I move to meet him. Armed with knowledge Of his past, his family, And that which he loves. Yet, when I look into his eyes at that confrontation, I realize that the arms I brought are useless. We are so much more than our passions And our pursuits. We aren’t always thinking Of what to write next. Or how to solve that math...

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The pictures on my bedroom walls Watch me in my self-consciousness. I am not myself around them. They stare at me, heartless. Like ghosts of themselves, I know the personalities of my spies. They see the secrets that I hide. They see through my lies. And when I meet their true selves, Perhaps in the shopping mall, I marvel they don’t know my...

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Hidden behind mental walls, I hear my demon’s screams. Echoing losses and frustrations, And lamenting broken dreams. I look piercingly within, To the hollows of my soul. Depression and Anxiety Have taken their toll. It is simple to escape, Just open up the door. But my eyes can’t find the doorknob; An empty shell hits the floor. ...

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It was the smell of time And the light falling just so, That invoked memories Of times long ago. I thought I had forgotten The magic of her voice. Detailing mysteries and fantasies That I had never known before. She made me think  Of poetry and sunshine Sitting at that desk. Writing outside the lines. Dust motes danced through the air As a...

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Bent, hobbled, driving hard against the rain, The lone man stumbles. Falling in pain. And he plummets face-first into the mud. The next man to pass that way, Was lively, animated, gesturing with his hands. Sheltering his phone as he walked away, Heading indoors. The third was a woman, With an umbrella. Trudging through the rain, she held a soda can, Contemplating the...

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It isn't the same without you here. I miss your kind gaze, long stories, passion for your students. I was your biggest fan. I miss the cramped and crowded office you hated, Studded with pictures, quotes, and pieces of life you had found along the way. Leaving a piece of yourself with every student, Every person you met, It is a wonder you...

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What is the meaning of good?      of Evil? What is the meaning of love?      of Hate? What is the meaning of joy?      of Sorrow? What is the meaning of health?      of Illness? What is the meaning of light?      of Dark? What is the meaning of everything?      of Nothing? What is the...

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     She is there, somewhere inside, I know. Her face calls to me with its mournful gaze, deep soulful eyes, and premature frown lines. Even from across the room, I see her fake a smile, absently brushing long bangs away. Her dress bulges slightly at the hip, as if it doesn't fit right. She, like me, is out of place, making the...

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Her name was Laura Green. Secret: She was adopted. Her name is Samantha Morrison. Secret: We changed her name to match. Her name is Princess Morrison. Secret: How could we have possibly objected when she wanted to change her name? Her name is Nancy Drew. Secret: We hid the flour you used for fingerprints. Her name is Freedom Morrison. Secret: We were the ones that ran over the dog....

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