Vulnerable

To let down the walls
To take off our masks
This is the beginning
Of being vulnerable
Of me getting to know you
Of us truly seeing each other in truth
And accepting each other
With full love
Unconditionally
As is ... because we all are flawed
We were not meant to function independently
We cannot go it alone for forever
And so I let you in
I take the risk
Jettisoning my fears
In the hope and confidence
That this loose guard is worth it
That with it I am deeply human
That sincere love will venture forth
Because I do not withhold
And show you the real me
The deepest one possible
Connecting beyond the cold handshakes
And permitting you to venture into
The realm of my messy heart and emotions
Like the little child we all once were
Who simply puts their head down
To rest and receive from one's mother
Free of everything save absolute trust

Thinking of You

I miss you ... deeply
I know you're going through something
Yet, I don't know what
Still, I miss your touch and laughter
I miss the possibility of us
I miss the joy and sanity that you give me
I think I miss more than anything you being happy and normal
Life always seems to bring you stress
I hope it gives you quiet and restful moments soon
Because I deeply care about you
I need you to be happy and cared for
You're too important to me
I'll just say it ... I love you
Perhaps there will never be an "us"
But that doesn't change that I love you,
That I want the best for you, that I want you cared for

149th

I can feel the hustle.
The mob just trying to make it.
The prostitutes giving it up
just so they can put food on the table
for the kids they were unexpectedly forced to have.
The baby daddies living separate lives
because of the stress
they never meant to create and intermingle with.
The oppressed immigrants
who came here as kids for a better life
only to be harassed and hated their whole lives.
The lack of opportunities and investment from others
because they say, "The Bronx has done it to themselves!"
Bright lives and hope shattered
from wrongful judgment and mass blindness.