Poetry

I didn’t let

You go for you were stuck, and now I

Know you’re capable of getting through the storm.

You were more than capable because you had all you needed inside you all along.

You just had to let the doubt fade away, and you needed someone by your side, and what a month it has been.

To say I am proud of you would be accurate, but also, I know this isn’t the end for you, so keep going, and when you get stuck again, remember this day.

Because all that you need is inside of you because God put it there when he made you, and only you can block your blessings and the path you’re meant to be on.

Today is your wake-up call, and tomorrow is full of more possibilities.

For I know now nothing can stop you, not even the devil and all his doubts he tries to put in your head.

From your past self as a new, you will see it tomorrow!

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

Loving the

Red of fall

As it arrives with cold nights and even colder mornings.

But you enjoy it as the leaves fall all around, and the beauty of little things catches your eye now and then.

And you stop caring so much about the things you can’t control and focus on the things that bring so much joy and peace to you as the day goes by.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

I can’t

Just give up

Because I know if I do

It’s going to haunt me for the rest of my life.

The would and could have done that will be on my mind rolling around and teasing me into the end of time.

It will be worse than being bullied and losing my voice.

It will be a never-ending torture that only I can end, so I know I better not give up, for tomorrow is not promised, so today, I will make the most out of it now and hope for the best.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

If I’m being honest

I’m still fighting to be a better me, but I’m letting God take most of the load.

As I sit in peace and slowly smile again, my life begins to fall back to the ground in one piece again.

For the last couple of days, I felt like I was an ocean apart from my thoughts and feelings.

And I had to stop and pray and reflect and pray more.

When it was all said and done, I felt not alone and wrapped in God’s love and presence.

And no doubt or desperation was eating at my soul.

I knew what I needed to do, and in that moment, was to trust my Savior and see this month of October would be a good one full of hope and growth.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

I know

Sometimes, we’re both right, and sometimes, we’re both wrong.

And it’s not always about being right or wrong

Sometimes, it’s just about being connected again that makes our differences not so challenging to deal with.

Only time will tell how much the trials of life we will go through to find our way on our own.

It’s like everyone else has already pulled away, but you stand by my side like a true friend.

So only time will tell how much longer we have each other back, but I know I won’t be counting down to the end, for life is too short not to take the risk of a friendship that feels true.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

My mind

It is full of thoughts and words, but for who?

And how do I get them out even though the feeling fills me?

I want to spill my guts, but the words aren’t even forming a sentence; just that I need to get it out.

Or the happiness and uncertainty could swallow me whole, and I don’t know what to do it does?

I should wait for God to help me lay it out for that person.

And right now, I feel your arms around me as peace comes over me, and I get ready to relax for the night, for it has been a long day.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

Life

Can be light and so freeing

Like the breeze of air flowing into your life, like a lovely day in the fall, sometimes life can seem so dark, like the night.

You told me to keep quiet for who knows what’s lurking in the shadows.

But my voice is like a bird. Sometimes, it can’t be silent to protect those who play the victim card all the time out of fear of being turned in because they’re always looking for a way to blame others for the problems they don’t want to face.

To be silent again feels like being that little girl who had a voice but was too afraid to speak up for fear of others turning on her.

But I’m not that little girl anymore, and I won’t go back to the past where her voice didn’t matter.

For I know her voice matters and so does mine.

So, where do we go if we can’t say what needs to be told in this place anymore?

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

I don’t

Want to wait around for something to happen.

I’m tired of feeling like I’m the only one they can relay on.

When do I get my break?

Before I break down and become useless, too?

I can’t trust you anymore, for lies pour out your mouth like a waterfall.

Leaving me angry and annoyed

But who am I to complain when I’ve known for a while who you are and what you do!

So here I am, tossing and turning, but sleep will not come, and yet again, a long night awaits me.

To dislike you is my truth because hate is a strong word, and you are not strong enough to deserve it.

One day, I won’t look back and wonder whatever happened to you, for I’m sure you will still be playing the same games as before I left.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

Oh god

Why have I been fighting you on what to do?

Because I tried it my way, and I burned out

All that was around me was darkness, and yet I still stumbled around like a fool.

Only to see when I came out, you were there with light to guide me in a new way.

And yet, I stubbornly still tried to do it my way.

Only to end up not doing much of anything

And then the light bulb went off, and I realized the things I could do were because they were what you needed me to do.

The only way I could overcome this hurdle was to let you guide me.

So here I am doing what feels right and what you want, and now it’s what I wish for, too. And this way, I will get it all, but only when you say it is due.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

I never

Thought starting over would feel this way

I was off to a great start, and then I got stuck

In the mud called struggles and uncertainty, and here I still am.

I am unsure how to move forward as I sit here wanting more, but I am unsure how to get it anymore.

The drive isn’t as strong, and my life feels like living.

There’s no reason to push myself to keep learning and growing.

Even though those are things I want to do

Are there things I need to do right now?

I don’t know anymore, so my mind is running in circles, trying to figure out what I’ve been up to these last couple of years and whether I will ever make another move this year.

As the mud quickly turns into quicksand, I feel I’ll sink before I figure this out.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

The storm

Arrived again, and the lighting and thunder came along too.

And inside, I was safe as the lighting lit up the sky.

And all I could think of was where we’re you as the rain poured down and the low rumble of the thunder could be heard.

And then, like the lightning, my phone lit up, and there you were saying you were safe and sound.

As my heart calmed, so did the storm, and soon all was well again.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

Like the storm

Raging outside I want to be someone you remember.

I want to step into your life like a storm that blows out all the things you thought you knew.

I want to brighten up all the darkness and anger in your life.

I want you to smile and embrace me as I deliver you from the hell you grew used to.

And I want to walk you into a life that feels like heaven, and sometimes it will rain, but letting it all out is the only way to survive this life I see us in.

So please give me a chance, and I promise I won’t hurt you, and when I give up, you will know I gave my all, for it is not easy for me to wave my white flag.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

My thoughts

I’ve been thinking

What makes us lack confidence and bring down our self-belief to the point we no longer take risks or have leaps of faith when a great opportunity comes into our lives?

Did something happen to lower our confidence, and are we still holding on to past trauma?

And how do we overcome it?

Would meditation help?

How about journaling our moods daily and how we’re feeling help?

Or maybe expressing ourselves through poetry brings out those vulnerable moments and finally sets us free?

Or is it something we have to seek help for?

What do you do when you lack confidence but have the drive to say I want more, and I know I can’t get it if I don’t have the confidence or the self-belief that I’m good enough to do it?

All these questions keep running through my mind as I step into a new me, but I am still trying to shake my old thought process.

You won’t know how good you are until you do the thing you’re hesitating about, for the first step is just the beginning.

I used to lack so much confidence and self-belief that I relied on others to Validate who I am and what I stand for. But then I worked with a coach who broke down every wall I put up in my life and I found my voice and my inner child and adult self wanting to break out and voice their opinions and show the world they matter and that they are here to stay.

I know my journey isn’t over, and I still sometimes want to hide or stop when things get hard, but I know I’m meant to do more and help others, too.

I would love to know how you ladies or gentlemen handle lacking confidence or self-belief. Or if you would like to answer any of the many questions above?

I’m currently doing meditation to center myself and enhance my creativity, and I’m journaling, praying, and taking baby steps to complete the goals I set for this year.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

stunning

Photo by Aly Ramirez on Unsplash

The photographer said.

So innocent and young I was

I felt strong and a little bit of a badass in my blue dress and cowboy hat.

The sun shining behind me

Setting the mood for this photo, yet all I can think of is “ow.” These rocks and grains are hurting my knee once the photo was taken.

I was helped up, and I brushed those darn little rocks away.

I know the shoot was great, but nothing great comes without a bit of pain.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes