When statistics show
that one in every 4 people are mentally insane-
I would be that 5th person.
I have boogied in the pouring rain.
Gawked at luminescent pink flamingos.
Gotten nervous giving a speech,
But still,
with only small tremors,
recited announcements
in front of 500 of my fellow missionaries.
Fallen in love
with the guy next door
Drawn, anything and everything
And drawn it well.
Worn a green trench coat.
I lost my marbles
only to find them again under my bed.
I’ve only ever really dated one person.
I’ve never been the most socially accepted person-
Thought I wanted to be-
Tried to become so-
And then did a full 360.
I enjoy the rustle and swish
of long skirts around my ankles
like frothy water swirling on the shore.
I’ve crammed 5 minutes before a major test
and scored a 96.
Finger-painted turkeys
ornamented my fridge
the thanksgiving of 3rd grade.
And macaroni ornaments
adorned my tree each Christmas
until the 5th.
Desperation prompted me to redecorate
my entire room
Just to make space for one more bookshelf.
I’ve rolled down a hill
and gotten grass stains on my pants
like confused polka dots.
Barnes and nobles
Is my favorite place in the world.
A devoted environmentalist,
I’ve saved many a tree
by starting a recycling program
for public papers perishing slowly
at my church.
I’ve taken several steamy showers
And come out fresh and clean.
Washing my dirty laundry,
I’ve found lots of secrets
that I thought I almost lost.
I still adore the crisp smell of new books.
I’ve hula-hooped circles around my friends.
Rebuilt a floor, foundation and all
one sticky week in July.
Been literally engulfed with homework.
There was a time when I pretended to be a swashbuckling pirate
or a mischievous sprite
and made-believe being a damsel in distress.
I’ve worried my life away.

I’ve just once caught snowflakes on my tongue,
Only ever fought with one of my friends
And I once won first place in invention convention
For a brilliant device that I will never be able to implement
I believe in God.
I believe in God
Who finally helped me to see
I have cracked many fortune cookies
To find out that fate’s beyond my control.
That maybe, in living,
I might somehow find my soul.

I am
in my own world; please don’t disturb me.

Good sir, can you help me?
I seem to have lost my path
You see, I stumbled in the darkness
And now I can’t see the track
I need someone to guide me
Some light to ease my trek
Whatever will I do
If I can’t escape this mess?
I know it’s my own doing
I should have seen the roots
I watched them as they climbed up
But never thought to shoot
I wandered deep into the forest
So blissfully naive
But I was seduced by a mysterious stranger
Swept away into disbelief
If you can hear me calling
If you’re listening to my plea
Maybe you’ll find it in yourself
To come and set me free.

Is it that irrational that I can look at you and see
That even when all is silent, still you study me
There must be something interesting to earn the look you give
It merits slight bemusement and yet makes you pensive
We have some connection, a bond made through our eyes
So even when there are no words, we know there’s a reply
A distraction that is focused somewhere on my face,
So that even when we touch you can’t pull your eyes away
A shy knowing, and eagerness to share
Wanting someone to listen, wanting someone who cares
Understanding its time to break away, but still some hesitation
But finally I leave after silent deliberation
And still after the moment has long since came and went,
I just can’t help thinking, maybe you’re my Clark Kent.

There is a deficiency of valor
That’s been going around
Of Honor and integrity
And never keeping a good man down
Chivalry, Chivalry, that’s what I need
In this age of corruption just one noble deed

There is a lacking of strength
That’s been going around
Of heart and of mind
And all things earthen-bound
Chivalry, Chivalry, that’s what I seek
In this age of destruction, just one who can think.

There’s a shortage of faithfulness
That’s been going around,
Of loyalty and dedication
And monogamy that’s sound
Chivalry, Chivalry, that’s what I pursue
In this age of flirtation, just one who is true.

Footprints in the sand
There for a moment- solid, real.
I watch water rush into the cavity my feet have made
See the edges blur away
Simply a hole
A vague knowledge that there was once something there

But still the memory resides, no longer tangible,
That for a moment they made an imprint-
Full of hope, dreams, and ideas
That for a moment, the landscape of unchanging shoreline was drastically altered
By the possibility of life and with it knowledge
And in that moment the world knew of my existence

But the moment slips away
Buried by the sands of time
And gradually forgotten
Like the footprints and their creator