The stories we tell change over time. Man loving woman was the story told to survive. This line of thinking no longer applies Yes it’s how new life is formed But now we can love who we love Loud and proud without needing To follow what worked for others. There’s so much shame around Changing the stories when really Shaming someone for loving someone In their natural way, however they feel, Says more about you than it does about them. Love in all forms should be embraced Because it’s love at the end of the day. Two women loving each other Two men loving each other Two people loving each other It’s a beautiful thing to find We shouldn’t be defined By the way we love each other But the way we love ourselves. Loving who you are allows you To embrace others without judgement Being happy for people without fear is How we continue to change the story. Understand how you view others is how You view yourself, remember to be kind.
vintage cars signal the start to warmer weather i walk down the road near the water late in the afternoon the town comes alive in the summer i take in the picturesque moments straight out of my favorite tv show from childhood, including a guitar singer belting covers of retro songs from a balcony. i sit on the chair and watch children run around, looking at my ice cream with jealousy. the liveliness of June is prevalent when the rest of the year is dull and quiet. these times remind me of the beauty of city life, how everything is happening at once, chaotic and beautiful from just an observation view.
We gathered together To remember and celebrate The beloved patriarch Of our family. Stories were shared, Memories were made Around a camp fire On a boat Zooming around The lake. I took stock Observing my family In all different Stages of our lives.
For a few days I slipped away to An alternate reality mirroring my life Where I could take back and reflect With the help from a good friend How to appreciate living in the now We explored streets, both old and new to me, Sharing stories, watching movies, And reminding me the importance of Accepting where I am instead of mourning All I thought things could be Laying on the beach, we ran towards the waves I embraced welcoming summer And this new chapter all at once.
the lack of sleep led me to discover a magnetic sight solar shower caused colors to light up the night sky dazzling surrealistic to experience all alone I looked around and wondered why there were no other souls around to see I could hear screams down by the beach I smiled thinking of the view they must have had from below I grabbed my phone the green and pink lights came to life through my camera lenses even more than my eyes could make out weeks later I’m still in awe of what I saw put life into perspective one spectacular night
Everything falls into place As I begin to pack up this space And go at my own pace. I drag things downstairs and put Them in a closet I will return to At a later date. The stuff I need The least goes first. Doing this 3xs In one year has made me an expert At knowing what I don’t need now But can’t bear to part with. One day I may need this, Or so I believe. Oh the lies I tell to hold Onto things I no longer need.
step by step I heal the wounds torn open by trauma laughing after crying is the best kind of medicine the bane of my existence is out of my control all I can do is breathe through the moment where my brain feels threatened while signaling my body to remain still battle wounds form from unsuccessful attempts I form boxes with my breathing as I follow the circle around and around trying to stay calm while crying isn’t my strong suit but I try and I applaud myself with the little attempts of progress little by little step by step I grow
The montage plays in my head Scenes blurred from reality Early morning, but my thoughts Swirl as though I have been drinking Lost in trying to type this story Before it leaves me, typing away Inspired by songs filled with Raw vulnerability, the poet of our time Inspired me to write down half thought-out Lines on notes that live in the cloud One day I’ll scroll through them And wonder why I never finished The thought I can’t access anymore
The shadows of day dim the light, causing the attention to be taken elsewhere, tired of waiting for the promised show to go on, then failing to see the final surprise. Too busy talking and running to pay attention to detail. Audience of one, the statues were broken before the head appeared taking away the fun while no one else cared.
Grief is a funny thing. In that there’s no one way or right way to grieve someone passing. It’s not a straight line, it’s scattered all over the place, sometimes it’s difficult to pick up the pieces to begin the process of understanding the depth that was left behind. If the person was in pain, you’re happy they’re at peace. If the person was wronged, you’re left shocked and angered by their exit. Emotions are felt at peak levels during these times. Knowing someone has impacted you so deeply is the beauty and tragedy when they pass cause all you want and hope is for them to know how much they were loved when they were alive. Sometimes we lose sight of our journeys we can fail to see the ways in which we impact others. Sometimes it takes hearing a song which sparks a memory and tears to form can we see the pieces left behind clearly. The ways we change each other in this life have significance, it’s the most beautiful mysteries of life, the connections we form that define who we are. We know people for a finite amount of time here on earth, appreciate them while they’re here.
Kelly Severseike 