House

She sleeps on the couch after a long day at work and life.

He sleeps in the basement.

They both sleep at home.

Go ahead you judge.

I wonder if I'll be that male in your life that you hate

Not because I'm perfect

but because I make you pay for my mistakes

So you're in debt to my happiness.

Still I wonder if guys will learn

that Beauty is Her name and that Love is as sweet

as Her kisses.

I would never hurt you and if I do

I'll be Him.

So if you want a lover

you have to be my friend first.

I have seen both sides and now I just sleep them off

I dream of them so I won't have to deal

With everything that goes in between U and S.

So you can call me amish.

Well, one day I'll grow tired and when I do

I hope I land in your heart.

To whomever it may concern, I'm just walking...

City Year Miami Founding Corps ('08 - '09)

There are more than a hundred people here. We’re all making a difference. We’re all different but we’re here for one reason. We’re here so things can get better for me, for you, for us before we don’t have an us, a you and a me anymore. I need you and you need me. Why not be at peace in knowing nothing is ever the same? The only thing constant in this world is change. And it doesn’t take someone with sense to understand that the presence is a present of the past. Nothing lasts more than memories. But if we all think together we can make a movement towards moving forward into an imperfectly perfect world. A world where everything is beautiful because there are those who are the village that raises this child named [Enter Students Name Here]. No, really. Enter students name in the blank spots you once held as space in that heart of yours. Enter your ‘without wax’ supreme being’s name. They are called Powerful, but to us, they will always be our kids. They will always be our students, but most importantly, our teachers. So let’s stop worrying if we’re even making a difference at all, because just thinking about it means we’ve done something. I once heard someone say you fail by not trying to fail but I’m proud to stand here with you – shoulder to shoulder, idealism to idealism, Corps Member to Corps Member, or better yet, a Corps Member to a future Corps Member - as we begin to serve others. We all know “it doesn’t take a degree to serve. Everyone can serve.” All it takes is a ripple of hope for founding stories to create a cathedral from a book that Puts Idealism to Work. So grab a Can Do Attitude and take a sip to quench your thirst of Mountain Dew. The mountain’s dew that makes it feel as though our Moccasins are treading water. So let’s get to marching. Let’s begin to live a dream of Peace that has a piece of each generation and brings them into our final circle. Let’s break on the barriers that keep us separated because society has given the leftovers for school to throw out like end of the year materials. Let’s recycle and renew the spirits of the F schools that Don’t C Being An Ambassador of wisdom as grades. Let’s continue to make a difference. We’re the Founding Corps of the City of Miami. I hope this isn’t our Only Year to change the world. I wish you all luck and the best in life because you have just changed Miami.

What your father would say.

I met two kids who lived with a hole inside. Part of their heart had been left aside. They abide by the rules of school, so they no fools. They try to be smooth even though their hearts not cool. Their faces were heated when they learned death just cheated. History repeated in their books, pages where rages greeted. Needed a home to come to when they didn't want to eat. It was all defeat even though mom tried to be the spoon to their meal. Feeding words that cut like swords, it was so absurd. The news that left clues lost in blues because it was the truth. They were stuck in a booth, a box to hit the Snooze. They didn't want to wake up to the news that was the truth. So they cried as reality tried to keep them dreaming. Thinking that every night they would be on their knees praying. Saying things like thanks dad for being around. But now he was nowhere to be found.

Your father would be proud...as so am I.

JDR

9.24.08 Alone

When i'm alone

i listen.

As teardrops fall like rain.

Issues filled with crystals

because pain only shines

at night.

A scene explodes with humor

only to

hide stress arised.

Who am i to talk about my tears?

They cry themselves

to sleep and

still i can't seem to speak.

So when i'm alone i listen.

Hugs

Have you ever just held on to a hug? Just let that hug stay on your mind after both bodies have walked away. If you have go back in time. Do you remember why you kept that hug longer than you could hold on to it? Was it because you felt safe and the walls held you at home. Was it because it was an 'haven't seen you in a long time. I miss you' hug. Was it a 'don't ever scare me like that again' hug. Or was it 'i don't do this often but i figured i should give you a hug' hug. If you haven't don't worry. I didn't forget you. I see you. Even if you're often overlooked. You're a human being with emotional needs. So if you need a hug because its been a year since i've seen you come here. I have a hug for you. Did someone close to your heart come to pass? Me too. I lost someone. Come here, i have a hug for you. Yea i know i have just been with you for the whole week but come here give me a hug. Is your day so bad you wish you didn't live anymore. Yea, i have those days too. Come here, i have a hug here somewhere. Don't worry if you hate hugs. Sometimes you need a hug so you know someone cares enough to open their arms instead of holding out a hand. Did you lose the game? Its ok, there is always next time. You're a winner in my books. I have a hug if you want. Congratulations. I'm so proud of you. You're graduating and soon you'll be living on your own. You're so grown. Time flies by but i still have a hug to give. Come give your brother some sugar. Yea i know your friends are watching so what. I care and you can 't leave my hug hanging. Thats not right. So if you ever need a hug for whatever reason don't wait for me to open my arms just come attack me and i'll be glad to share a hug with you. As long as you don't squeeze too hard.

Reflections

Reflections lay you awake at four in the morning
Rives calls it “a time for even more grimmer time”
Alicia keys calls it “6:30”
I call it lying awake trying to find a time machine

Moments are times you see as flashbacks
You think,
“If only I could flash back to those moments in time
So I wouldn’t be up reflecting on them.”

You still do
You go back to smiles on lilies
You go back to roses in eyes
You go back to blues in tears
You go back to violets is another word for purple
You go back to colors

I’ve never seen any of those colors
I see in black and white; it’s so simple and pure
So I just watch my memories in old movie scripts
It’s all history left to be dug up by historians
I want to preserve my past so I can find my future

In the end they become reflections of my own reflections
They become my yesterdays, my todays, and my tomorrows
They will always be on my mind at a time too late to even want to think of them
They will be reflections and never a Kodak moment
A freeze frame that let’s me hold on to them forever
So they are lost until I find another time to exchange my sleep for thinking

I cry because it cant stay in.
The pressure.
The stress.
The frustration.
I cry in the dark.
No one sees.
No one hears.
No one judges.
I cry because it`s easy.

I smile because it`s free.
There`s no consequence.
There`s no shame.
There`s no regret.
I smile because you enjoy.
So I continue.
So I fake.
So I give.
I smile even when there`s no audience.

I scream on the inside.
Because of the pressure.
Because of the stress.
Because of the frustration.
I scream on the inside.
Because no one sees.
Because no one hears.
Because no one judges.
I scream on the inside.
Because there`s no consequence.
Because there`s no shame.
Because there`s no regret.

I write because it`s what I know.
It`s my blanket and it warms me.
It speaks back & comforts me.
I write because you listen.
I write because you write back.