I look in the mirror and I see
eyes of fire staring back at me.
I feel warmth burn from within.
There’s a fire creating heat
that forces me to my feet.
The ice in my veins melts away
the second I head on my way.
In the mirror, I see flames
become untamed. When I turn
around, nothing is the same.
My eyes of fire ignite my sight.
These eyes of fire feel right.
Don’t be a dead man walking.
No need to be a sitting duck.
Don’t be down on your luck.
No need to be feeling bad
when you miss all the things
you wish you could have back.
Don’t stare at your reflection
for too long. Change it up.
No need to replay the song.
Move on. Wake up and look
alive. Buy the ticket and enjoy
the ride. Know when to show
and when to hide. Look alive.
No need to slip into the night
when we can just take flight.
I walk past a mirror,
and I stop in my tracks.
I look deep into my own
eyes and see a boy who
does what he can, a boy
making it work, despite
the absence of light.
I look into my eyes and
see a boy looking for
answers to impossible
questions. I am looking
at a boy doing his best
to remedy devastation.
I can’t tell if I am seeing
my own reflection or
that my reflection is
seeing me. I look a few
moments longer, studying
my face and its history.
There is a story to be told
in each smile and frown.
Before I break my gaze,
I remember all my days.
I wave to my reflection
and walk away from
the mirror, knowing
I have nothing to fear.
Lately, I’ve been thinking
about pirate ships sinking.
I’ve been thinking of ways
to be spending my days.
Lately, I’ve been thinking
about those not blinking.
I’ve been thinking of you
and the stuff we used to do.
Lately, I’ve been thinking
about my future and what
it holds. I’ve been thinking
of what I have done right
or wrong. I’ve been thinking
of ways to become better.
Lately, I’ve been thinking
of how things used to be.
I’ve been thinking about life
and how days became nights.
Now, I’m thinking that it will
be fine. I’ve been thinking
that I must take the time
to feel alright and to be kind.
It looks like we are going into overtime, folks.
During regulation, the game was played without fear or
hesitation. Both teams fought, blocked, ran, stole, and shot
lights out. Fans almost had to get their lighters out.
Empty the gas tank and tie those shoes tight. One ship
will sink. One team will win, right? One team will take
flight straight to Disneyland, and the other will go home
with a fine-tooth comb: looking for what went wrong.
After all four quarters, overtime is a tall order. After long,
the game was stopped after one coach threw a chair.
The other coach pulled the ref’s hair. 50-50 with 50 seconds
left in overtime lit on the sign. The game was delayed,
and no fans stayed. Anyway, both teams left the building
before overtime was finished. No one won, but it is fine;
only some of us are lucky enough to live and see overtime.
IN YOUR DREAMS POETRY 