Featured Poet - Ann-Marie Walsh

THROUGH MY WINDOW

As I watch all the people 

Of every walk of life 

Passing by my window 

As i watch from the inside 

I imagine where they’ve been 

Or where they’re at going to 

If they’re going to a job 

Or have something fun to do 

It helps to pass the time 

As I’m stuck inside my home 

The stories keep me sane 

When my mind begins to roam 

Already trapped so cruelly 

Ironically by one’s mind 

Now too by ongoing illness 

So draining over time 

The stories i have created 

They helped me to get by

The lonely and quiet days 

When alone I would cry 

So when I’m feeling lonely 

Or I’m not feeling great 

I look outside my window 

Close my eyes and wait 

I let my mind just wander 

A little smile is on my face 

If only for a little while 

I’m there, my happy place 

I’M NOT THE SAME

Not a care in the world 

Not running away 

Took the good and bad 

With each passing day 

I know that was me

It doesn’t seem real 

I just can’t believe 

How I used to feel 

Compared to now 

Anxious and scared 

Crippled by grief 

Worse every year 

Again and again 

A loved one is gone 

The pain too much 

Hard to go on 

Somehow we do 

 It’s not the same 

The void in our lives 

Will forever remain 

In time I will learn 

A new path I’ll take 

Take time to adjust 

Memories to make 

And so it begins 

Slowly I tread 

Hopeful and cautious 

A new road ahead 

Life is so fragile 

And also a gift 

When I am ready 

My life i will live 

Everything’s changed 

I’m not the same 

Pulling through 

The loss and pain 

But I also know 

That I’m blessed 

For those around me 

Are truly the best 

In life I’ve laughed 

And also I’ve cried 

Had every emotion 

I just couldn’t hide 

And every step 

Hard as it can be 

I’m not giving up 

Just wait and see 

I’m not the same 

I know that is true 

Good and bad times 

I made it through 

I’ve come so far 

I’m so proud of me

I'm not the same 

But I am still me

MY INNER BATTLE

Do I want to feel this way ?

Do you think I have a choice?

So lost and so anxious 

Feels like I have no voice 

The overwhelming panic 

Of every single task 

The lies of “ I’m fine!”

When anybody asks 

The inner silent battle 

I fight every single day 

Trying to find the words 

Of what I want to say 

I dream of being normal 

And not so insecure 

Being happy in the sun 

Not behind a closed door 

It cannot last forever 

This i hope and pray 

Peace and happiness 

Are surely on their way 

NO OTHER CHOICE

Young and naïve 

No place to turn

Condemned by most 

“In hell she’ll burn “

No one will help 

She is all alone 

And start life over 

Far from home 

Crying so hard 

Guilt and shame 

No one by her side 

Just her to blame 

What was her sin?

What was her crime?

She fell in love 

With a cheating swine 

Swept off her feet 

Fell for his charm 

She’d never believe 

He’d cause her harm 

He gave her a ring 

Was hers for life 

Love her forever 

She’d be his wife 

Then he was gone 

He fooled everyone 

Lied and cheated 

To have his fun

He already had 

A kid and a wife 

Blissfully ignorant 

Of his deceit and lies 

But he’s not shunned 

Or sent away 

For his behaviour 

No price will he pay

Her heart is broken 

Scared and afraid 

Left on her own 

A choice is made 

To get far away 

To face her fears 

For she is with child 

No time for tears 

If here she stays 

She’ll have no voice 

Her child taken away 

It won’t be her choice 

She must start anew 

Where she’s unknown 

Her and her baby 

She won’t be alone.

Life won’t be easy 

But she’ll find a way 

For her and her baby 

Get through each day 

A new inner strength 

A love like no other 

The unbreakable bond 

Of child and mother

ROB, THE SILENT HERO

He’s a humble man, but mischief in his eye 

Once he’s in your life you have a friend for life 

He’s a good father and grandfather too 

But he is devoted to Annie, his lovely wife 

He has been in disasters and faced danger 

His job and his drive to save those he can

Now and then he will question himself 

Then doubt is gone and he stands as a man 

He has had some losses along the way 

The pain and grief he has endured 

He is turning it around, helping others 

The hope is that his heart is cured 

He always has a big smile on his face 

Checking on his family and also his friends 

But he is a silent hero , on that we can agree 

The lucky ones can feel the love he sends 

ACTIONS & WORDS

They say the right words 

They think you should hear 

The hope that you feel 

That they do really care 

You think that you’d learn 

It’s always the same 

To them it’s different 

Life is just a game 

Open wide your eyes 

It’s then you will know 

Whether the words said 

Match actions they show 

The lesson a hard one 

You feel so naive 

You knew it deep down 

Didn’t want to believe 

So the lesson is learned 

I will nod and smile 

Though fixing my heart 

Might take a while 

I’m not gonna change 

But cautious I’ll be 

Not being so gullible 

And tread more carefully