The reality of the human experience is often draining. Hopelessness expands like gas in a room without you realizing it. Despair is accessible and easy to notice. There’s direct access to the news at your fingertips, enough to make anybody anxious. Therefore, hopefulness isn’t uninvolved; it’s intentional. You scratch, claw, and fight your way to ...

I hold on tightly to the hope that this moment doesn’t fade. As you trace your fingers through my hair, I ponder on this possibility, but I can’t bear it. So, I wrap myself in the sheets, bracing for the pain in case this moment slips away- nothing but a dream.  Editor: Michelle Naragon & ...

“Did Biden just start World War Three to sabotage Trump?” the people exclaim in hushed silence, shaking their heads in astonishment. If only it were that simple. I do not have the answers any more than my fellow human beings about what is truth or pure bias. Life is essentially a mystery, the fog leaving ...

Another day passes by while bloodshed reigns upon our fellow brothers at arms,trying their hardest to serve our country at any price.Another day passes by as we march toward our graves.We cross the jungles of ‘Nam,but what has that gotten us?One by one, the bullets zip past our sight,one by one, a brother falls with ...

sometimes things happenthat brings out the sadnessbut there is always a silver lininga path at first hard to find when one door closes, another opensdifficult to see, blinded by our emotionsthe promise of something better is always therethough sometimes hidden you might have to look for a whilebut you’ll eventually find that doorand when you ...

The shimmer, the dazzle, and the lightshine so brightly at the tunnel’s endI stare eagerly at my sore feet‘The journey’s almost over,’ I think aloud A step ahead, then twoThe light’s getting closer but the path’s not shorteningMy arms stretch out in a bid to pull illumination closeAlbeit, hope’s still miles from me Life sometimes ...

My American soldier.Head held high,unafraid to fight.Unafraid to die. For thosehe loves in thisblessed country,and for their freedom. Because he believes inthe wordsfreedom, liberty,justice for all. “Why must you go?”I cry, everyteardropa scar on my heart. Every step hetakes, breaks myspirit further, mysoul crys in anguish. Is it selfish to needhim here, even ashis country ...

My mouth is a volcanoMy words destructiveto innocent bystanders. The poison in my wordsAiling and killingeverything around me. If anyone saved me?Before I lose control?It wouldn’t change. I’m a hopeless freak.An unnatural byproduct,cruel and pitiful. Despite my decay,my predestined doom,I must cling to hope. That hope is you,remind me who I am,pull me from my ...

darkness fills the airno light to be foundat the edge of despairmisery all around all it takes is a sparkof hope burning brightthough a part of you wonders if this is a larkis this the path of right like a candle in the windflickering steadyholding out, prepare to defendforward ready one little dotone bright spot

The Beige Woman, a color poem, is Adriana Philips' personal tale of living as a mixed-race woman. Can you love yourself in your own skin?