Strength (Page 2)

A man, caringly holding his hand out to help a woman, who is sitting on a hospital bed with her hand in his. The main focus is on their hands.

Give (an anaphoric poem)

Give thanks. Give attention, acceptance, kindness. Give of your heart. Give comfort. Give peace, joy, happiness. Give of your soul.

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An empty, snow-covered, arctic winter landscape; a snowy desert field with a person walking away toward a blue sky at the horizon.

Dry (a poem)

It’s winter again, it’s snowing outside, and my soul is as dry as my hands. A frozen wasteland, no less of a desert. My heart is parched like the sands.

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Black, plastic letters spelling out "ASK MY PRONOUNS" on a reusable, wood-framed square sign, nestled on a wrinkled rainbow PRIDE flag.

They/Them (article)

I hope you will join me in this act of solidarity as I stand up for those who are being forced to assimilate with a societal construct that does not fit them or reflect their lived experience.

(377 words)

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Close-up of a lioness, open-mouthed, roaring, teeth bared in the light rain.

On Days Like Today (thoughts)

They have seen it all and stood strong despite the pushback. They have the scars to show for it, but they also have resilience.

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Side view of an upset female student wearing jeans and a lavender hoodie. Sitting on an outdoor cement stairway, she leans against the wall beside it, her hands holding the side of her head in anguish.

Invisible (an acrostic poem)

I’m the invisible girl, nobody knows exists, visible only to myself. I shrink from view, strategically blending into the background.

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A shattered shop window shows signs of an attempted burglary.

Help (a poem)

The bullies carried baseball bats wrapped in chain and tape. Now they use both laws and lies to hit us with their hate.

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A still life photo of a medieval sword and hauberk. A steel sword, with leather-wrapped handle lies atop a piece of chainmail armor. A red reflection in the blade and hilt of the well-worn sword appears as though it was bloodied in battle before being laid down.

I am (a poem)

I am a hero to some, a villain to others. A friend and an enemy, all in one breath.

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A cool-toned photo of human arms, with chains wrapped around their wrists, hands raised above a crowd. The chain between their wrists is breaking, expressing the message of gained freedom through fight.

Liberty, expanded (speech)

Liberty is having agency over one’s own destiny and decisions. Liberty cannot truly exist without the ability to govern what happens to and with one’s own body.

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