Her

I knew her 
not everyone can say that
some people never had a chance 
which didn't make sense 
because everyone had a chance 
if they were bold enough to take it 
she just wasn't as trusting 
as she had been in the past 
but with good reason 
not everyone could be trusted 
their intentions weren't always clear 
until it was too late 
she was everything I ever wanted 
before I knew what I wanted 
just like a dream 
and I took her for granted 
I wish she had stayed a dream 
because this world didn't deserve her
I didn't deserve her
still I'm grateful nonetheless 
because I knew her
and not everyone can say that 
hopefully in the next life 
I'll get to know her again 

© 2016 

The Visionaries

Art doesn't have to make sense 
but with the canvas at our mercy 
our imagination takes over
we see exactly what we want to do  
and attempt to bring it to life 
by painting the perfect picture 
is that even possible 
some would say no
and reality may agree with them 
because no matter how good we are 
it may never look how we envisioned 
that sounds like life in a way 
we have the allure of being perfect 
or coming as close to it as we can 
all stemming from this idea
of how we see ourselves 
but we're the visionaries after all 
so the journey will continue
it just shouldn't be for perfection
because we're human beings 
destined for imperfection 
art doesn't have to make sense 
nor does it have to be perfect 
it just has to come from somewhere 

© 2016 

Weary

You look tired 
confused even
but that's to be expected 
especially considering 
how long you've spent 
alone with your thoughts 
overthinking everything 
some things are easier to accept 
as truth rarely exists anymore 
in its purest form 
so what you choose to believe 
you may believe by default 
like being forgotten by everyone 
easy to believe 
and yet not entirely true 
you were forgotten by most 
but not by all 
still your mind wanders 
overthinking everything 
but that's to be expected 
no rest for the weary 
that's how the saying goes 
but what do you say
aren't you tired of being tired 

© 2016 

L.O.V.E. Notes: Prisionera

Esas cadenas

si tú puedes romperlas

mereces ser libre

libre del dolor

de la miseria

y todo lo demás que te persigue

pero si te rompen

mereces quedarte allí 

en ese lugar tan oscuro

llorando en soledad

ahogándote en tus lágrimas

no puedes vivir así

tienes que hacer algo

porque en tu mente

no importa lo que es la realidad

eres una prisionera 

y si no cambias tu mentalidad

nada cambiará nunca

así que todo empieza contigo

debes romper esas cadenas

o dejas que gane el miedo

liberáte ya

<3

© 2016

There With You

I sure hope you're in the light 
and not in the shadows like me
for I've been told too many times 
how the shadows are for cowards
who can't handle the outside world 
so I hope that's not where you are
maybe you're some place else 
some place darker  
where there's no light at all 
I don't see how that's possible 
because you'll shine brighter
than you ever have before 
regardless of where you are 
I expected you to dissappear 
my distance made it easy to do
sadly that was my intention 
everybody leaves at some point  
but not everybody lives 
we owe it to ourselves to live 
and to find our purpose 
no matter where it takes us
I hope it takes you far 
even if I'm not there with you 
at least you'll be on your way  

© 2016 

L.O.V.E. Notes: Broken

You're so beautiful
but while I was enamored 
you were hurting 
and there was nothing I could do 
to make things better 
I couldn't even get close to you  
no matter how much I wanted to 
but that was to be expected 
some things cannot be fixed
just as easily as they were broken
that's if they can be fixed at all
especially if it involves the heart 
so I wouldn't be surprised
if you're still hurting 
and there's nothing wrong with that 
I just wanted to keep you smiling
but you had that under control 
you always have 
which is why you're living proof   
anything that breaks 
can still be beautiful 
not just on the outside
but that's all we see 
one of the many pieces of you

<3 

© 2016 

Explanation

Why do we choose anger
it wastes so much time
not to mention energy
sure it means we're human 
but it cannot be helped 
only managed 
suppression is too dangerous 
to keep something like that inside 
so maybe anger chooses us
have you ever been so angry
that you close your eyes 
as if somehow out of sight 
means it's out of mind
but then you start imagining
the ones responsible 
and what you'd like to do to them 
why don't you just let it go
the answer is simple 
people notice anger
and you want those people to know 
how serious you are 
you rather they see your passion 
but it's always taken for granted 
anyone would be angry at that 

© 2016 

No Tengo Miedo

Necesito ayuda 
tu ayuda 
sé que suena tonto 
pero es la verdad 
cuando te has dado tanto de ti mismo 
después un rato 
te sientes vacío por dentro 
me siento un poco vacío 
eso no me hace débil 
pero no tengo miedo de admitir
necesito ayuda 
tu ayuda 
hay energía en todos partes 
en todas formas 
si no aprendo a utilizarla
cómo conseguiré el éxito que deseo
quizás sea demasiado de pedir 
tal vez algo sencillo para empezar 
la energía a sonreír de nuevo 
me gustaría mucho eso
así que espero que me puedas oír 
porque no tengo miedo de admitir 
necesito ayuda 
tu ayuda 

© 2016

Nobody

When you learn a life lesson 
you should never be the same 
as you were before 
I've learned the hardest lesson of all
nobody owes you anything 
even if you treat someone 
the way you'd like to be treated 
nobody owes you anything 
of course it would be nice
if we all cared just a little bit more 
but we expect too much 
from one another 
I know that now 
we talk about wanting loyalty 
building trust 
and demanding respect 
some of us don't even respect ourselves
let alone trust ourselves  
the day will come 
when all we have left are memories 
how do you want to be remembered 
do you want to be remembered at all
you owe it to yourself to be better 
nobody owes you anything 

© 2016 

It Starts With You

How many times have you tried 
to view the world from a distance 
in hopes that things would change 
only to realize that they won't 
what if it's not the distance 
maybe if you just had a better angle 
it would improve your perspective 
maybe you missed something 
but you're not even close
as contradictory as that sounds 
it's the truth 
even people you thought were different 
finally revealed themselves to the world
and it didn't take much at all really 
those who mask their true identity 
crumble under their persona
once again leaving them vulnerable 
so where does that leave you 
are you going to be the change 
or will you be just another sheep 
foolishly following a shepherd 
who cares very little about the flock
it's not about how you view the world 
but it's how you see yourself in it

© 2016 

Proving Ground

They say I'm a hero

but who did I save

I said I would help others 

and show them how to be brave

but I'm not even brave enough 

to pick up a phone 

and answer someone's calls

I just sit in my room alone 

believing in the lie that is fear

doubting myself 

wondering why I'm even here

they also call me an angel

and I don't even have wings

how am I supposed to fly 

and do all sorts of things 

when that fear keeps me grounded 

I can't even take off

the feeling of letting someone down 

is too much for me to shake off

so don't call me either or 

not until I've proved that I'm worthy 

and I remember what I'm here for

I must put my personal feelings aside 

so my purpose will have nowhere to hide

© 2016 

L.O.V.E. Notes: Wounded Warrior

Sometimes I wonder 
if this is what I looked like 
would you ask if I needed anything 
or would you just come find me
knowing that I'm a point of no return
what if I was severely beaten 
covered in blood 
and ready to end my suffering 
the only way that made sense to me
would you be concerned 
or would I be getting what I deserved 
at times I can't even see
let alone see things clearly 
and even if I could 
my eyes aren't to be trusted 
no more than my thoughts are 
so believe me when I tell you 
I feel a lot worse than this looks 
but if I were to ever look like this
just know how hard I fight to stay here 

© 2016 

Discreto

Tal vez sea mejor así

viviendo en las sombras

lejos de casi todo el mundo 

donde no puedo hacerle daño a nadie

y donde nadie me puede hacer daño

pero no sé si eso es suficiente 

tal vez yo debería desaparecer

deseo que fuera tan fácil

pero con mi luz

es imposible de esconder 

sin ser visto 

y aún menos desaparecer 

así que me quedo aquí 

viviendo en las sombras 

lejos de casi todo el mundo 

si yo sabía cómo desaparecer 

nadie me vería 

pero con mi energía 

alguien sabría donde encontrarme 

no puedo escapar de verdad 

tal vez sea mejor así 

me encantaría desaparecer 

al menos una vez 

porque un parte de mí ya se ha ido

© 2016 

On The Outside

He yells at her constantly 
tells her that she's nothing 
and for her not to go anywhere 
until he gets back
nobody wants to see your ugly face 
at least that's what he tells her 
so she's trapped 
not really trapped 
but she believes that she is 
and that makes her seem weak 
listening to him more 
rather than trusting herself most 
now she just wants out 
she doesn't care what's out there 
because the horror that awaits 
doesn't compare to the horror 
she experiences on a day to day 
not just physically 
look what it's done to her mentally 
and emotionally as well 
he tells her she won't survive without him
when it's all she's been doing 
but surviving won't be enough for her
she's ready to live 

© 2016

Seclusion Haiku

You won't be able 

to hide your beauty from the

world for much longer.


© 2016 

Permanent Haiku

Hold the one you love

so tight that you become a

part of their tattoo.

© 2016 

Sister

Where did your smile go
it's the question most asked 
still to this day 
does anyone ever ask what happened 
not anymore 
they rather assume the worst 
maybe they caught you at a bad time
that's been happening a lot lately 
at least when they're around it has
so what does that tell you 
that they're somehow responsible 
or maybe partially responsible 
you shouldn't give them any credit 
no one should have power over you
especially when it comes to your smile
maybe they're not to blame 
but they're not helping matters any
sometimes those asking the most 
are the least supportive 
they don't care what happened 
or if you'll ever smile again 
that's why it's so easy to blame them
it's because of what they represent 
those unworthy of ever seeing you smile 

© 2016 

Cansada

No debes tener que mendigar a nadie 
pero te encuentras mendigando 
mendigando para su tiempo 
y su energía 
sabes que es un signo de debilidad
pero te pones debil 
cuando piensas en cierta gente  
a veces puedes sentir tu corazón
llorando por ellos 
eres más fuerte que eso
asi que tratas de lucharlo 
y sigues luchándolo 
pero cada día es un desafío 
ellos te ignoran
más que hacían antes 
sin alguna explicación por qué 
tal vez es mejor así 
porque si ellos te ignoran 
y tienes que mendigar atención 
no saben tu valía 
asi que hazte un favor 
y deja de mendigar
no debes tener que mendigar a nadie 
mereces mejor que eso 

© 2016 

Fed Up

I don't speak for her
but I've listened very carefully 
so I know that look
when you're fed up with how things are 
and she has been for a while now
certain things keep getting overlooked 
the disrespect of black women 
of all women really 
by way of domestic violence 
sexual assault 
and all forms of discrimination 
it's hard to maintain your sanity 
when you're surrounded by ignorance 
and hatred disguised as indifference 
therefore allowing disrespect to be justified 
she's fed up 
and it seems like she's the only one 
maybe because in those moments 
where she must get some rest 
or at the very least 
try to catch her breath 
very few are stepping up 
to show how fed up they really are 
and it's not just the men either 

© 2016

L.O.V.E. Notes: Control

Your demons aren't expecting you to fight them
and that gives you a distinct advantage
but if you choose to embrace them
you better know if you can control them
because they won't hesitate to control you
taking every bit of energy you have
and using it to destroy everything you love
until you're all that's left standing
they'll never destroy your vessel
but they want you to forget who you are
they want you to forget how strong you are
for if you were to remember these things
you'd realize that you never needed them
and that they've always needed you
demons are no different than parasites
they attach themselves to the strongest hosts
remember that you're stronger than they are
in every way that makes you who you are
there's nothing you haven't been through
but if you choose to embrace them
you better know if you can control them
because fighting for possession
is a battle that very few win
and a war that so many like you lose

© 2016

Now

Do you remember now 
or has it been way too long 
I know it wasn't what you envisioned 
because when you promised yourself 
that you would do for self
you let your guard down 
which isn't like you at all 
but lowering your defenses 
didn't mean you were defenseless 
so it was a choice that you made
that's why you were caught off guard 
do you remember now
how about when they said 
we share the same dreams
so you shared your dreams with them
but it was your energy they were after 
nothing more
they thought it would make them better 
nevermind what it would do to you
or how it made you feel 
do you remember now 
it looks like you remember everything 
because you picked yourself back up
so I guess you kept your promise after all

© 2016 

El Humo

No puedo descansar
hasta que la última de tu energía
deja mi cuerpo
por esta razón
simplemente exhalo
y desintoxico
porque me has dañado
internamente
mi mente no es la misma 
no ha sido por mucho tiempo
sin tu influencia
puedo pensar con más claridad
así que simplemente exhalo
todo el dolor
la angustia
y el control que tenías
como el humo de la boca
te libero en el aire
a regañadientes 
pero tengo que salvarme
tengo que simplemente exhalar
porque me has dañado
internamente
y nunca lo olvidaré 

© 2016 

L.O.V.E. Notes: The Chosen One

It's a wonderful feeling
when she chooses you
not everyone is chosen 
even when they deserve it 
so you should feel special 
because you did something 
that no one has done
in a very long time 
you helped her love again 
that's why she chose you 
she took another leap
one she thought would kill her
but here she stands 
never wanting to let go
so don't just stand there 
because she chose you 
you're who she wanted 
and if she's still worth it to you 
don't make her your option
when she made you her choice 

<3

© 2016

Morning View

There are so many thoughts 
running through my head 
but very few words 
I don't know where to begin 
people ask me everyday 
how do I remain positive 
my response is usually quick 
that was until recently 
I've found myself hesitating 
only just a little bit 
yet still enough to notice 
I can't ignore what I see 
so many people in survival mode 
they want to give up 
because they're tired 
I'm tired too
mentally more than physically 
but I'm not dead yet 
and neither are my dreams 
isn't that what keeps us going
so how can we not be positive 
when every day we wake up 
is our second chance at life
to be the change we wish to see

© 2016

L.O.V.E. Notes: Interpretation

When you see her smile 
isn't it obvious 
don't make her cry 
make her smile 
and keep her smiling 
if she's happy 
don't try to change that 
maybe she likes you 
or you said something funny 
either way 
don't make her cry 
make her smile 
and keep her smiling 
if you can do that 
she'll love you 
the way you love her
wouldn't that be great 
not to feel the hurt 
but further the heart 
you have to see it for yourself 
so go ahead 
make her smile 
and keep her smiling 
I dare you 

<3 

© 2016

Taken

We all have this light inside of us

so if you're having trouble feeling it

look close at who you keep around you
as one of them could be stealing it
they're everywhere
where there's a smile
there's a frown
no matter which direction you turn to
somebody's trying to bring you down
and drain you completely dry
do you know why
because you're special
and they can't stand to see you prevail
when they've chosen to fail

at first I didn't believe it
why would someone care about my energy
then I came in contact with someone
who tried to take it before it entered me
I guess they saw how it centered me
and how they could use it
but all I thought about was not having it
and how I would lose it
so don't allow your light to be taken away
even if that means losing a few friends today

© 2016

Staying Put

They say if I want to be seen 
I have to step out of the shadows 
but it's not about that anymore 
it's about being respected 
and appreciated for the light that I am
maybe I'm asking for too much 
but it's all I ask
that's why I remain in the shadows 
so I guess that's why it's my fault 
if I never step outside 
how can I expect to be appreciated 
or expect anyone to respect me
when very few people see me 
but that's the thing 
very few people see me 
even when light shines through 
and when my light shines through 
very few notice its brightness 
I thank God for those few
but I'm not blaming anyone 
not everyone will see everyone 
which means not everyone will see me
so I'm not stepping out of the shadows 
you'll just have to step into the light

© 2016

Te Siento

Pretendo saber lo que se siente
besándote
abrazándote en mis brazos
y nunca dejándote ir
pero en toda honestidad
no estoy pretendiendo 
porque puedo sentirlo
no sólo en mis sueños
pero con cada aliento que inspiro
te siento
mas que alguien más
y quiero una oportunidad en la cosa real
no sé si lo merezco
pero puedo pretender que lo merezco
o tal vez lo merezco todo
tus besos
y tus abrazos
ojalá que sí
porque no quiero pretender más
me duele mucho que haga eso
eres mi sueño
mi amor
y mi todo
no puedo pretender que no siento nada

© 2016

Cómo Te Digo

Cómo te digo que te amo
he escrito tantos poemas
a veces en idiomas diferentes
sólo para ti
porque mereces el amor
lo mereces todo lo que soy
pero no sé si hay palabras suficientes
que puede expresar ese sentimiento 
no sé si mis palabras son suficientes
así que estoy listo si lo estés
siempre tendré mis palabras 
pero quiero ser mucho más que eso
sólo para ti
porque mereces el amor
lo mereces todo lo que soy
tengo mis labios para besarte
mis brazos para abrazarte
y mi corazón para amarte
así es cómo te digo que te amo
lo digo con palabras
y lo demuestro con pasión
sólo para ti
porque mereces el amor
lo mereces todo lo que soy

© 2016