When I first met you,I believed you were from God,bringing the light into my eyes,skip to my step;it was perfect. The time dragged onward;our love never faded,or agedas the sunrays danced,along our skin. A saying passes for wisdomamong the unititiated: “If you are not careful,you can have too muchof a good thing.” The moment you leftwoke ...

When it feels like good isn’t enough, And they scream for more effort and grit, Take a deep breath and smile, Because they don’t have it figured out, either. Editor: Erynn Crittenden

I am the schoolgirl in the playground,begging someone to play with me,only to have my bag decorated with spit.Treated like an outcast. I am the girl you see in a crowd,with no friend in sight,loneliness her companion.The world passing her by. I am the girl you think a weirdo,a freak of nature cloaked in costumes,trying ...

There is a time and place for everything in life. The time will come to break the rules that say dinner must come first. Work must come first. Fun must come later. The sweet things in life must wait. When the time comes, we must break these made-up rules without hesitation. In our house, we ...

The birds are singing a new song. It’s strange, but pleasing to my ears. The birds are singing a new song. It’s loud, yet brings a calmness to my soul. Editor: Erynn Crittenden

“Boredom is necessary,” says a random user on Reddit when I ask for advice on how to disconnect and find myself, but how is it necessary when it is so difficult to endure? I think my brain is completely rotted and decayed. It can’t process things that take too much attention. Bright lights and noise ...

Smoke and mirrors  just to feel good  Tell me  does your heart still bleed? Gently  Slowly  Like the oozing of a peach slice  Thrust upon my dappled knife Here – Drink this water  Take my wife And show her all the things that she could be… Slowly  Holy  Like the (br)oozing of a peach slice ...

Arisewith my light.I am calling youfrom beyond the black sea.Open your eyesand fly to me. Ascendfrom the holy landand the burning sand.Release your soul,and fly to me. Believein what you see.I am within sight,here, beyond every silent night.Free your wingsand fly to me. Editor: Erynn Crittenden

My son is almost twelve, And he can pick up a textbook To plot his course and destiny. For a model, he had Malala Yousafzai, Who taught him the value  Of education and resistance.  His life will be so easy Compared to children Living near Azadi Square, Growing up with fire raining  From the drones’ constant roar; Children—generations—in the Niger Delta, Who live and die without ...

Change is inevitable. One day, I’m bubbly and carefree, The next, I’m calm and calculated. Did I lose my vibes from aging? Are the fine lines around my eyes Proof of new responsibilities? No! They are testimonies of progress made, And of a life well lived- but it is far from over. Editor: Erynn Crittenden