I want to fly on the wings of sleep

Over the clouds of memory

Off to the wood where dreams are formed

And to the realm where love is born

I want to answer the darkened sky

Calling for me to now rest my eyes

Holding the moon and the stars above

Surrounding me in listening love

What if these thoughts won’t leave?

Are you listening?

I only want to say this once.

My thoughts crawl

My body quakes

It takes my all

To stay awake.

Cause when I get up

And look in the mirror

How I fear her.

& she wants to kill me

& I’m not unwilling

& I have to make a confession:

We’re the accumulation

Of unwanted agression.

& I never wanted to hunt her

But she’s a monster

& she never wanted to haunt her

But we’re a monster.

Which experiences will I play, projected on the walls of my memory, called upon like an old friend? I pin up the lessons I've learned by a firm hand and a soft hand. Moments and moments of teachings reflecting myself and projecting my future as they pass through the front door of my imagination and out the window of my eyes. Is this the desire of my soul? Do I speak to confirm the truths that I've learned or do I speak to be taught of the flaws in my thoughts? Some words will fade away like stars in the day when I hire other orchestras play harmonies with what I have imagined... or foreseen. Is there a difference?.. Do you understand what I said when I meant to say what I did? Will you look ahead to design your patchwork square in a quilt that stretches farther than human eye can see? Eventually to eternity?

Again, I find myself alone

Sitting quietly with my phone.

Multiple people are talking to me

But their faces I cannot see.

Their hearts I cannot guess,

Save by what they choose to express

In the words they decide to send.

Thus so easy it is to pretend...

And how did my life become this?

So full of words from people I miss,

But only on my phone.

And why am I always alone?

Taken- the time to feel deep. Pain or love, my heart's not asleep.

Given- the time to care. Someone out there needs a listening ear

Received- more than I can say. God has blessed me in every way.

When I was sick and lay a-bed

I had my cell phone by my head,

And my laptop beside me lay

To keep me happy all the day.

And sometimes for an hour or so

I watched my favorite TV show,

With characters with different skills,

And a villain whom the hero kills;

And sometimes sent my friend a text,

Scrolled up and down on Facebook next;

Or brought my selfie camera out,

With Snapchat filters all about.

My attention span was short and still

I had a lot of time to kill,

And so I spent my waisted brain

In the virtual land of Technoplane.

By Lily Hawkins

Inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Counterpane”

It showed up right on time—

A glow of blue in my vision line.

Long seemed the moment of unrest

’Afore I followed it into the forest.

In that moment everyone told me

“Other ways you’d much better be going,”

But their voices flew from my ears

When I learned they were only my fears.

So with crainte vanquished and gone

I followed the will-o’-the-wisp on,

Looking not ever behind.

The forest of trees, they were kind.

My family is kinda nomadic, but no matter where we go there is a consistent language culture in our church! Especially in Utah, where the church’s headquarters is located, and where I’ve lived the majority of my years. I will share some common phrases in Utah culture, and in pockets of church membership all over the English speaking world (I cannot speak for our membership in areas which use other languages, but that demographic is vast!).

Stake Center - a building like a church, only bigger where multiple congregations can meet and some social events are held. “Hey, there’s a dance at the stake center this weekend. You going?”

Stake - A word designating a geographical area of membership, which is comprised of several congregations. “The stake is having an Independence Day barbecue this year.”

Ministering sister/brother - someone from church who was assigned/has volunteered to watch out for your family, like make sure you’re doing well and stuff. “Where’d we get the cookies?” “Oh, our ministering sister brought them.” “Brother Jones is our new ministering brother, we could ask him to give us a hand.”

Before I get any further: Brother/Sister - a title we give to fellow members of the church, like instead of using Mr. or Mrs.

Ward - what we call local church congregations, which are designated by geographical areas. “Hey, a new family just moved into our ward! Let’s go say hi.”

YSA - Stands for Young Single Adult. Single members over 18 are encouraged to attend a YSA ward or branch, where the most common church meeting topic is marriage (jokes). “The YSA ward meets at 9am, if you want to come.”

Branch - Like ward but smaller in number.

FHE - Stands for Family Home Evening, which refers to an evening families are encouraged to set aside, traditionally on Monday, to spend with each other, learning about Jesus, playing games, and, if you’re cool, eating treats. This tradition is carried into college. When young members of our church move away from family, the local YSA wards or branches hold activities every Monday evening to stimulate a family atmosphere. It’s lit in the most wholesome way ever. :) “What are we doing for FHE tomorrow?” “Oh it’s gonna be so great, you don’t wanna miss it!!” Or, back home: “Kids, come inside! It’s time for FHE!”

Gospel - the word literally means “good news.” We use it in reference to the four gospels in the New Testament, but also to refer to our doctrine in general, which, we say, is the good news of Jesus Christ. “I’m so greatful to have the gospel in my life...”

I could continue, but there is a word limit... Haha.

Proper respects if you made it this far!

I hope you enjoyed these words/phrases from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints explained by a

Latter-Day Saint. - Title for church members. “Actually, we don’t like the nick-name ‘Mormon’ any more; I’m a Latter-Day Saint.”

<3 (: