The Man from Afar

Though we've never had a conversation before,
I've always thought you were a very handsome man.
I may only have enough courage to write about you
because the thought of knowing you don't think of me like that would tear my heart in half.

It's just every time I pass by you,
you have the look of intrigue only your beautiful eyes could tell me.
Your firm voice so sweet, yet manly,
melt my heart and makes me want to talk to you more.
Your vigorous walk steady like an oak tree,
but graceful in the way you make it look so easy.

I wouldn't mind you holding me at night
in the coldest winter.
Your muscular arms, a sweet whisper in my ear,
and long-lasting sleep.

There really isn't much I could do unless I
knew for sure you were like me.
Until then, I'll be walking past you to
catch a glimpse of your brown eyes and
hopefully, a conversation to just listen to your voice.

Jenni's Journey at Its End

 For Jenni Lake and her family

I never knew who you were, but your story touched me.
Just like I'll never know the inner pain you felt as the cancer slowly took you away.
I'll never know the thoughts going through your mind as you fell into a never-ending sleep.

Even in death, you still touch hundreds of hearts of the struggles in your journey.
You fought and fought until the end, you were at war, but in the end you really won.
 You had love...

Love from your oldest sister...

Love from your family...

Love from your friends...

And most of all love from your baby boy for years to come.

Cancer will never feel that kind of love.
As we mourn for you, we'll all have a secret smile on our faces because you are in a better place.

My message for Ashlee, paint a smile on your face and remember every chance you get the things you two did.
Smile, love, and know we are there for you.

Do You Exist?

Do you exist?
Do you exist at all?
The one who is supposed to love and hold me... my own prince charming?
How do I get your attention?
Do I have to act like those princesses in the storybooks?
Must I lose a single glass slipper at the ball and get locked in my room by my evil stepmother?
Must I escape from the palace and nearly get killed for you to save me?
Must I take an unknowing bite out of a poisonous apple from the queen who disguises herself as a hag?
Do I have to listen to a witch from the deepest ocean to be closer to you and get a true love's kiss?
Must I give up my free will to set my father free, and say that I love you for you to reveal yourself?
Do I have to fall into a deep thousand-year sleep and await your waking kiss?
Do I have to kiss every frog in the kingdom to finally have you be mine?
I know you're out there waiting for me somewhere.
Perhaps you are waiting for me to notice you just around the corner.
Then again... Do you know that I exist at all?

The Dock

For Z.J.H.


Pride was over, and the day melted into the darkness.
My only focus was on seeing you and your beautiful brown eyes, your smile, and your hand in mine.
I saw you drive up and park and I was the happiest man in the world.
I let you into my home and let you meet my father, shook his hand, and welcomed you with open arms.
We sat and talked for a long while about everything under the sun.
You were the center of my world then and there, listening to your voice so graceful and intelligent.

After some time, we left the warmth of my home, and I led you to my favorite place: the dock at Wilson's Pond.
We talked and talked until we started to notice it was even darker and the heavens pouring down on us, soaking us head to toe, lightning in the background with thunder rolling.
Ever so romantic, we kissed a long-promised kiss that we both yearned for so long.

We sat there at the secret place, staring at each other through the night.
You grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers and sat there until the storm got closer.
 We walked along the darkened path, kissing every chance we could.
You held me tight and squeezed my hand when I became frightened, and we walked back toward my home.

It was a fairy tale come true, and you and I were free to do as we pleased on that never-ending night, but with one last long kiss, I watched you leave, not wanting to let you go.

I watched you leave, never wanting to let you go, hoping to see your beautiful brown eyes, your smile, and your hand in mine.