When I die, bury me with a picture of my kids,

I want to show God the reason for my every breath,

every stride, every prayer in the quiet of night.

In that sacred ground, where whispers meet eternity,

let my children’s faces be my testament,

their laughter captured in a still frame,

their joy echoing in the chambers of my heart.

Tell God how their smiles were my sunrise,

how their tears were my deepest prayers,

how their dreams ignited my every hope,

and their fears found solace in my embrace.

When I die, let their innocence speak for me,

let the purity of their love be my final offering,

a portrait of life, painted with the hues of our moments,

each one a verse in the poetry of our existence.

I want to show God the legacy I leave,

the seeds of my soul sown in the garden of their future,

their lives a mirror to my devotion,

their paths, my enduring faith.

In the quiet of my rest, let that picture lie with me,

a symbol of the love that transcends time,

a silent prayer in the language of the heart,

forever held in the embrace of the Divine.

In the dim glow of the computer screen's light,

I begged my brother for a chance, just one night.

To use his computer, the only one in sight,

For homework, I pleaded, with all my might.

He'd agree, with a smirk, and a nod so sly,

But as I worked, he'd scheme, in the blink of an eye.

Lights out, door locked, no escape, just a sigh,

His touch creeping in, as I began to cry.

"Need anything for school?" he'd casually inquire,

While his hands roamed, setting my heart on fire.

Shoes, money, questions to fuel his desire,

Innocence stolen, fueling his selfish empire.

His breath heavy with the scent of deceit,

As he preyed on my vulnerability, complete.

Each touch, each whisper, a betrayal discreet,

Trapped in a nightmare, with no way to retreat.

“You can’t catch me!” she said, giggling as she darted through the hallway, her small feet pattering against the hardwood floor. Her brother, Jack, rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the smile tugging at his lips. Lily was always so full of energy, her playful spirit lighting up the house even on the dullest days.

“Slow down, Lily!” Jack called after her, his tone more amused than serious. He was only a few years older than her, but he had always felt like her protector, a role he took on ever since she was born.

“Never!” Lily’s voice echoed through the hall as she darted into the living room, her blonde curls bouncing with every step. She had always been quick, a little ball of energy that no one could seem to catch—especially not her older brother.

Jack gave chase, though he knew exactly how this game would end. Lily would keep running until she was out of breath, and then she’d collapse into a heap of laughter, knowing full well that Jack could’ve caught her at any moment but chose to let her win. It was a tradition of sorts, one that had started when Lily was just learning to walk.

As they played, their mother watched from the kitchen, smiling softly at the sight of her children so happy and carefree. They were inseparable, Jack and Lily, and she knew that as long as they had each other, they’d always be okay.

Years passed, but some things never changed. Lily was now a teenager, still as vibrant as ever, but the games had evolved. Their bond, however, remained just as strong, if not stronger. Jack, now a young man on the verge of adulthood, still felt the same protective instinct toward his sister, but he knew she was growing up and that she needed to find her own way in the world.

“Jack, you’re not the boss of me,” Lily said one evening as they argued over curfew. She had her hands on her hips, her defiant stance reminding Jack of when she was just a little girl refusing to go to bed.

“I’m just looking out for you, Lily. It’s not safe to be out so late,” Jack insisted, trying to keep his voice calm. He hated when they fought, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed to keep her safe, now more than ever.

Lily sighed, her frustration melting into a softer expression. “I know you care, but you’ve got to trust me, Jack. I’m not a little kid anymore.”

Jack knew she was right, but that didn’t make it any easier. He had always been the one to catch her when she fell, the one to stand between her and the world’s dangers. Letting go, even just a little, was harder than he had imagined.

Despite their disagreements, their bond only deepened over time. Jack saw himself not just as a protector but as someone who would always be there for Lily, no matter what. He knew life would throw challenges their way, but they would face them together, just as they always had.

The night was dark, the city’s lights casting long shadows as Jack raced up the stairs of the old building. His heart pounded in his chest, fear gnawing at the edges of his mind. He had received a frantic call from Lily earlier, her voice shaky and terrified. Something had gone wrong—very wrong—and now he was running to her, as fast as he could.

“Lily!” Jack called out as he reached the rooftop, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps. His eyes darted around until they found her, standing too close to the edge for his comfort.

“Jack…” Lily’s voice was small, a stark contrast to her usual confident tone. She was scared, more scared than Jack had ever seen her, and it broke his heart.

“Lily, come here,” Jack pleaded, taking a cautious step toward her. “It’s okay, I’m here now. Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together.”

Tears streamed down Lily’s face as she looked at her brother, her big blue eyes filled with regret and sorrow. “I didn’t mean for this to happen, Jack. I just… I don’t know what to do.”

Jack reached out a hand, his voice gentle but firm. “It’s okay, Lily. Just come to me. I’m here to catch you, remember?”

For a moment, Lily seemed to hesitate, then she took a small step toward him. But the rooftop was old, unstable, and before Jack could react, the edge crumbled beneath her feet.

“Lily!” Jack’s scream tore through the night as she slipped, her small frame falling backward into the void. Without thinking, Jack lunged forward, his hand grasping desperately for hers.

And then he caught her.

Lily dangled in the air, her fingers clinging tightly to Jack’s as he struggled to pull her up. Every muscle in his body burned with effort, but he didn’t care. He wasn’t going to let her go. He couldn’t.

“You can’t catch me,” Lily whispered, her voice trembling with fear and relief. But this time, the words carried a different meaning, one laced with the weight of the situation and the trust she had in her brother.

“I’ve got you, Lily. I’ll always catch you,” Jack said through gritted teeth as he hauled her back onto the rooftop, collapsing beside her once she was safe. They lay there for a moment, both shaking, but together.

Finally, Lily turned to him, her eyes full of gratitude and love. “You always do.”

Jack wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “And I always will.”

The night was still, the city below them unaware of the life-or-death struggle that had just occurred on the rooftop. But for Jack and Lily, it was a reminder of the bond they shared, one that went beyond games and arguments. It was a bond built on trust, love, and the unspoken promise that, no matter what, they would always be there for each other.

“You can’t catch me,” Lily said softly, her voice echoing the playful words she had said so many times before.

Jack smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “But I did.”

Beneath the frothy bubbles, warm and deep,

I played within the water's keep.

A moment of innocence, so pure and sweet,

In the sanctuary of the bath's retreat.

But hark! A knock upon the door,

Brother number two, seeking the floor.

But brother three, with mischief's grin,

Said, "Wait a moment, I'll let you in."

With knife in hand, the door swung wide,

And what transpired, no child should abide.

Upon the ledge, they both did stand,

Unzipping pants with reckless hand.

Their laughter echoed, cruel and cold,

As streams of urine began to unfold.

Upon my helpless form, they let it rain,

A shower of shame, an act profane.

I tried to scream, to voice my pain,

But silence fell, their will to gain.

For in my mouth, their aim did find,

To quell my cries, to silence my mind.

Where were my parents, in this dark hour?

Lost to me, in memory's tower.

But in the depths of fear and dread,

I longed for them, to ease my head.

Yet in the aftermath, a truth revealed,

Of innocence lost, of wounds unhealed.

For though the scars may fade with time,

The memory lingers, a haunting chime.

But from the depths of darkness, I rise,

With strength anew, to claim the skies.

For though the past may cast its shade,

In resilience and courage, I find my aid.

So let this tale, though dark it be,

Be a testament to the power in me.

To overcome, to rise above,

And in the journey, find love.

Dear Dad,

It's hard for me to find the right words to express the depth of the pain and anger I feel towards you. But I need to try, because carrying this burden alone has become unbearable. I need you to understand why I'm so hurt, why I'm so angry, and why I had to walk away from you.

Not a single day passes without your actions haunting me. The memories of what you did to me as a child linger in my mind, poisoning my thoughts and suffocating my soul. You shattered my innocence and stole my trust dad, leaving me with wounds that may never fully heal. You damaged me mentally, Dad, in ways that I'm still struggling to comprehend.

I don't feel worthy because of what you did to me. I don't feel like I deserve love or happiness because you taught me to believe that I am nothing more than an object to be used and discarded. I'm confused, Dad. I don't know if I love you or hate you dad. Maybe it's neither, or maybe its both. All I know is that I lost my dad when I needed him the most.

You were supposed to protect me, Dad. You were supposed to be my hero, my safe haven in a world full of darkness dad. But instead, you became the monster under my bed, the nightmare that never ends. You betrayed my trust, Dad, and you destroyed our family in the process.

How could you look at me, your own flesh and blood, and do those unspeakable things? How could you inflict so much pain on someone you were supposed to love and cherish? I've spent so many years trying to understand why you did what you did, but I'll never find the answers I seek.

I've disassociated myself from reality, Dad, because facing the truth is too painful. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable, I retreat into myself dad, desperate to escape the memories that haunt me. But no matter how hard I try to bury them, they always resurface, tormenting me like a relentless storm.

I used to wonder if you remembered what you did to me, if you knew the magnitude of your actions. But I've given up on that thought. It doesn't matter anymore. What matters is that you hurt me, Dad, and you continue to hurt me every single day with your silence and your indifference.

I don't even know if I want an apology from you, Dad. I don't know if it would make a difference. But maybe, just maybe, some acknowledgment of the pain you've caused would offer me a sliver of closure. An apology won't fix what you broke, but it wouldn't hurt either DAD.

In the end, I'm not sorry for walking out of your life, Dad. I'm not sorry for choosing myself over you. Because I deserve better than the pain and betrayal you've inflicted upon me. I deserve to be free from the chains of my past, to live a life filled with love and happiness.

I hope one day you'll realize the depth of the damage you've caused, Dad. I hope one day you'll find the courage to confront your demons and seek forgiveness. But until then, I'll continue to heal and grow without you by my side.

Goodbye, Dad.

Sincerely,

Your lost daughter

I refuse to keep crying

I am one of these soldiers

From war they are dying

Wake up and smell the folgers

This life is an epidemic

This world is apocalyptic

Society tied together by

The thinnest of threads

Torn by disease into the

Slightest of shreds

Children are famished

Mothers are damaged

Smoke, drink, crack, cocaine

Our generation is not the same

These women choose

to shoot up their veins

While the children are the ones

to suffer the pain

And our fathers are the ones

who hold the blame

Sometimes though it is not our choice

In a home where a woman

Has no voice

She didn't choose for her

Husband to drink

His fists are the mouth

He chooses to think

These streets are twisted

Only for my children

I will miss it

My youth was stolen

My lip pounded swollen

When I screamed stop

As this man climbed atop

Not much further could he go

When I cried and pleaded

With him no!

A dollar or two

He offered me

This is what I was worth to he

The man that fathered me

In my life no longer is he

Around my children

He will not be

We were put on this earth

To live and to die

You can choose to tell the truth

Or you can lie

Love me or hate me

Coincidence don't phase me

We forgive but

Can't forget

And live our lives by regret!

You say I could've been something, so let me be

Let me rise, let me shine, let me set myself free

Let me grow, let me prosper, let me take flight

In the midst of the day, in the depth of the night

Be with me while we journey, while we face the unknown

Hand in hand, heart to heart, we’ve already grown

Together we’ll conquer, together we’ll strive

In this dance of existence, together we’ll thrive

You say I could’ve been something, so let me show

With every step, with every breath, watch me glow

In the rhythm of our days, in the cadence of our laughter

We’ll write our own story, forever and after

Let me be something, let me carve my own way

With you by my side, come what may

Let me grow, let me prosper, let me take the lead

Together we'll plant hope, together we’ll sow the seed

In the echoes of tomorrow, in the whispers of dreams

In the light of our love, in the glimmering beams

We’ll grow, we’ll prosper, we’ll rise above

In the symphony of life, we'll dance with love.

Take me to my happy place,

Where silence wraps around me like a comforting embrace,

In an empty meadow under the wide open sky,

One single tree standing tall, a sentinel of time gone by.

Give me a good book, a portal to another world,

Where I can lose myself, let my worries unfurl.

When life gets hard and the storm clouds gather,

Take me to my happy place, where nothing else matters.

Let me wander through pages of fantasy and lore,

Where dragons soar and heroes implore.

Let me sit beneath that tree, my sanctuary and shield,

Where every word I read becomes a sword I wield.

Take me to my happy place,

Where the whispers of the wind are a gentle lullaby,

Where the sun paints the sky with hues of gold,

And time moves slow, with stories yet untold.

Give me the sound of waves crashing on the shore,

A symphony of nature that I can't ignore.

The smell of rain on dry earth, a promise renewed,

A reminder that even in darkness, life is imbued.

Take me to my happy place,

Where laughter echoes in the corridors of my mind,

Where joy is abundant and sorrow is blind.

The inch you give, the mile they take,

Will never be as long as the distance we make.

The distance between truth and deceit,

Between the ground beneath and the skies at our feet.

It's the space between heartbeats, a breath held in pause,

The quiet strength in standing up for a cause.

Take me to my happy place,

Where the moon hangs like a lantern in the night,

Casting a gentle glow, a silver light.

Where dreams are free to roam and hearts are light,

And every star is a wish taking flight.

Give me the sound of children's laughter,

The purest joy that nothing can alter.

The warmth of a hug from a dear friend,

A moment of peace that has no end.

Take me to my happy place,

Where the melody of life plays in perfect harmony,

And every note is a step towards serenity.

Where the battles fought and the scars we bear,

Are badges of honor, proof that we dare.

When the world becomes too heavy, too hard to face,

I disassociate from reality, find my escape.

In that meadow, under the tree, my mind takes flight,

Away from the chaos, into the night.

The inch you give, the mile they take,

Will never be as long as the distance we create.

The distance between what was and what will be,

Between the past's shadow and future's glee.

Take me to my happy place,

Where love is the language and kindness the creed,

Where every soul finds what they need.

A world where we rise, together we stand,

Hand in hand, across this beautiful land.

Take me to my happy place,

Where hope is a river that flows endlessly,

And every struggle is met with empathy.

Where the inch we give and the mile they take,

Is just a part of the journey, a path we make.

So take me there, to that tranquil space,

Where every heartache finds its grace.

In that empty meadow, under the tree's embrace,

Let me find solace, let me find my happy place.

In the dance of shadows, whispers flow,

Where enemies gather, their strength to show.

But in the murk where alliances form,

A new tide rises, quiet and warm.

The blade not drawn is the sharpest of all,

In silence, we wait for the mighty to fall.

The foe of my foe walks beside me in night,

Together we move, obscured from sight.

Victory lies not in the clash of steel,

But in the bonds that enemies seal.

A friend forged in the fires of shared disdain,

Brings power that fear alone cannot gain.

Observe the field with a patient eye,

For not every ally wears a truthful guise.

In the game of power, none stands alone,

The strongest hand is one not shown.

In battles unseen, true wisdom lies,

Where foes become allies under veiled skies.

The art of war is a subtle game,

Where the enemy of my enemy bears no name.