I peel back onion skin layers

to find a dream within a dream

within a dream.

I am on the outside looking in

stripped bare and floating on clouds.

I drink deeply the essence of stars

falling through the walls of life.

I am fusing into unsettled scraps

of yesterday’s broken dreams,

tiptoeing through life’s dunes.

Teardrops bathe me

in abrasive sea of salt.

Laughter climbs a ladder

seeking wafting breeze.

I chase the light,

swimming naked.

I paint my aura

with rainbows of pigment.

Streams run gently

down my face.

My fingerprints

dissolve and leave no mark

Sun kisses gold flecks,

simplicity of love,

its warmth chasing the pain

as I melt into nature,

dripping candle wax,

marking my path,

so I can find

my way home.

Sometimes I feel like

I don't have a partner

when you come and

go as you please

It's been two months now

And I think you're gone

for good this time

As much as it hurts

I can't be mad at you

After all,

you reap what you sow

My apologies to the

brown eyed man in Texas

Now here I am

Wandering around

like a lost soul

Finding solace in the

brightly lit city streets

at 1:37 am

Sometimes I feel like

my only friend

is the city I live in

the city of angels

Lonely as I am

together we cry

"Thank you for contacting PEMCO Insurance. Please tell me how I may direct this call."

"I'd like to speak with a human, please."

                          pause

"Sir, I am a human."

                          PAUSE

            Without saying another word, he promptly proceeded to press "End Call" while repressing the maniacal laughter like it was the direst of diarrhea.

In the distance I hear the echoes of Children's laughter.

Brings me back to a happy ever after. Jump roping with the girls on the block,

Being chased by boys throwing rocks. Hide and seek will they ever find me?

I was the best at that game,

Rarely ever to be seen.

Oh yes! Time for a cool break.

I hear the melody from the ice cream Truck.

Hurry up,

He leaves if your to late.

I love the gum ball eyed ice creams and The famous pop rocks!

Now back to more outside play,

Not much screen time those days.

Double Dutch was not my thing,

To many ropes whipping at me.

Hop scotch was the key,

A way to win lots of yummy candy.

Baseball in the park;

Flashlight tag in the dark.

Drive in theaters were the best!

Do those even still exist?

I can never forget the feeling;

Giggling while writing a love poem to my First crush.

Not realizing this was the beginning of The love rush.

Happiness;

I find in my childhood.

Though going back I never could.

Now it's my children's turn to be happy And carefree;

Luckily they choose to share it through Their innocent eyes with me. S.M.~2016

I never knew how lonely I was

Walking in a daze unknown to me

Not thinking I could find true love

But it showered down

like moonbeams at night

Kissing my face over and over

There she was my warmth my love

Her eyes sparkle like stars in the sky

A heart so big and selfless love

She touches deep inside the heart

Not lonely I am not anymore

And now life can be lived with love

I don't like

Those apologies.

The midnight ones,

The drunken ones,

The lonely ones...

I don't want to be

The girl you think of

Only when nothing

Is right.

I want to the the girl

You want to tell

Everything.

I want to be with you,

Not just when it's bad.

I want to be with you

When everything is right-

When you're dancing

In the sunlight,

And you're laughing

At a really bad joke.

I won't leave you

When you're sad,

But just remember

That I am not only alive

At midnight when

You're needing me.