in love at first sight.

This one time. 

i spent too long with an asshole.
but what is too long
if it was my path? but what is my path
if i could’ve turned left?

we seek and sometimes, we find.
sometimes, our choices may bind.

but then ALWAYS – it’s a Gift.
because even if
while we played we were blind, it’s
our journeys and tears which
lead us inside

so looking again, it’s possible –
sometimes – we may see our paths brought us 

where we needed: 
right on time.

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illuminate

sometimes we may catch a glimpse 

of that which is so near –

illuminated by fear –

but still, if only brief

we are called to honor our grief
our hidden natures, inside shadows

our parts which forget to breathe . . . 

among us, these, our lessons
captivate, taunt, contemplate –

until we forget but then we’re reminded

struck by brilliance, so close –

sometimes even bolts ⚡️ coming down 

to shatter us,  Awake *

* Becoming *

eternal
sunshine –
melting my heart –
from this life and beyond
is where i start –
my breaths are slow
i hail my essence, and with
this glow i am bestowed
with Spirit’s presence,
a gift to grow

my own Being
present, these ancient eyes
ive seen before such
Truth and lies;

so here i ask
my arm extended –
what is it for me
this time, intended –
my fingers stretched
to brush
the heavens
and fill with Love –
a gentle flow
(the gift upon others i bestow)
because the Truth
is what i know –

this life is a glimpse

full reach, and yet –
these fingertips brush what
cant be reached

still i …

BECOME

what is meant to be
as Love, so gently, wraps around me –
and i – accept this gift, and share
even when some
cant see or are scared,
i expand, and move forth, you see –
i am one from Eternity –

and Time has come:
spun, to lift

this world into Light, from its drift..
while still keeping eye
on kingdoms of deep
the ones just so close –
beneath our reach

because they speak –
they bless and keep –

those who listen
softly guiding
with whispers through wind, even

when we fall-
and TRUST becomes

our only call –

because THIS, we know, surrounds
us all …

 

so my arm extends
with roots and tree
for ancient mountains once covered
by sea

praying to stay
in warm embrace
as my heart begins
its next big race

 

 

Roots and Wings

My Dear City, I write this love letter to you:

A starry-eyed girl I was when I came
full of intrigue, aspirations, and lust –
but you ate me alive as you challenged my soul
and slowly devoured my trust.

It was sin to give in though
so I stayed with resolve,
determined to find why I came;
meanwhile, I fell in love with your secrets –
then stayed for the love of the game.

You bit and you chewed
then you swallowed me whole
but from inside you seemed to be glowing;
I suffered and starved as you fed and I died –
but never did it stop me from knowing –

There was a purpose for me here
(I knew I would find it)
though when, how, or what stayed unclear –
so I trudged through the mud, mostly blind,
and at times
fell face-first – but now I am here …

On the other side, eight years later, I stand
so grateful for lessons I’ve learned;
I’m honored to be blessed with the perspective you gave
and the changes for which I had yearned.

Oakland, I Love You – I won’t forget
how I made you my nest all these years;
you nurtured my roots, my wings, and my mind
and forced me to conquer my fears.

To my city, my Love, it’s now our time
to part ways and say our goodbyes;
from you I emerge a new woman and take
all the strength that I gained in disguise.
.
.

✨mandy

 > my heart💗is in oak <

Ode to Luís Gongora

  
i always find it weird
when a human life disappears
and remnants of their flesh is cleared

when hazmat crews clean
and vanish
last remainders of a soul
Lost

sometimes leaving strange reminders
blue latex glove here
caution tape there
and there –

and the world moves on
unaware;
Life Lost
and wiped away

just ghosts stay
behind, confused
as if to say,
“what happened here?”

when tragedy strikes
trains hit
or cops shoot
sometimes folks dont
understand
where they went

but they left anyway

one less soul

on the tracks
in the streets

of this Earth –

another mother
forced to cry –
because even
when they are nobodies

IT’S STILL SOMEONE’S SOMEBODY

Left behind.

the hiding game

across the tracks
wearing sunglasses even though
we’re inside
you’re propped in your own world
as am i –
on the train, heading
opposite directions
we glimpse
for a few seconds while
our worlds pass by –
each other: two women
stoic
in silent reflection, each
hardened from outside
bonded by
shroud of city –
forced anonymity –
we carry
this burden
when others try to get in
   we
         deflect 
(though sometimes they win)

doors open
and reveal
you:
my fellow femaleforgedinsteel
across the platform and
i can see
your invisible coat, like
mine
purposeful indifference
your layer, built
for protection –
and we nod
ever so slight but
acknowledgement strong –
laying low, separate trains,
calm, behind shades
worlds away …
but aren’t we one
and the same –
both players –
both experts
at this hiding game.

F the Fright

how many times

did i start over
think i’d landed
believe this was my grip –
my toehold –
assume
i’d finally made it to
my life

just in the last seven years
just in the last city

of dreams
wrapped in a nightmare
i didn’t recognize
and muse:
who’s life am i living?
this unfamiliar
detour
how did i get here
and how to get back

to the familiar strange:
existence
i could make sense of …

(how many times)

how many chapters
did i
live through
how many lives
in this city and before
…and here i am again…

fresh at a start
trying to learn from
my heart
seeking to make real, this time
what before i couldn’t find
is this the one
the one where it starts –

how wary am i
so often fooled
like a noose it grips tight –
i beg to run forward,
on: fuck the fright

the miracle

when the earth spins

mandalas grow

webbed with our intentions

dancing spirits around a flame

burning, the core

(inside our names)

… and the moon watches over us

carefully and grins

as our stories begin

then die, and recycle again …

its gleaming eye bearing witness of

our chants –

blessed with dreams while we dance –

and the circles flow,

mandalas grow:

illuminating life within

we have yet to know.

i’m sorry (too).

perspectives    misaligned

a lie – disturbed by

realities amiss

and I

can’t tell the difference;

mocked, consumed

once eaten by

a wolf –

and there’s a shadow in my eye;

my soul yearns

CRAVES

evolution not disguised:

calm, in the flow

ripples, dispelled –

what was once

(upon a time)

so  easily  known.

 

 

catapult.

(although written for someone else – worthy to share.)

 

her Majesty, le félin féminin,
empress of black
and fur –
egyptian goddess of night –
saved the day preemptively
when I was just eighteen
fourth of july is our anniversary, she nodded
and nuzzled
time flies with no fright
with rhythm, despite
our cries to the moon while
we get it just right – and
fill contempt with Light, it
does not compare
are we aware
time knows no
boundaries –
crash-landing
on the moon with a spoonful of jello
strawberry
and we
dined among the STARS
spinning
cried among the STARS
we do our thing
gangster – in the spring
blossoming –
le félin féminin
purrs again . . . menu changes
her majesty  of mystery
sometimes we just do our thing
let’s live in the mountains, I say
romance the sparklies . . .
eat the numbers
is there any other way
surprise!  the cycle goes…
’round the sun
but isnt it fun:  we’ve begun –

catapult

spins to win
we die to our rhymes
a little at a time