Poetry

When it storms

It pours and the rain is coming down

And I feel like I am being pulled in many directions as the wind blows left than right.

I don’t know how to feel as everything falls upon me.

And the branch knocks me out, and the life I fell into is the one I’ve been searching for, but now what?

Do I get to keep this life that feels so good and positive, a life that is full for me and everyone around me?

All those things that used to stop me in my tracks are gone, and now the storms don’t bother me anymore.

As I walk into this world, knowing myself and loving myself is my truth.

And when the doubt or harsh words of others are thrown at me.

I smile, for I know where they used to be, and one day, they might be where I am if they just let go and embrace the unknown.

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

Behind the wall

I used to hide my true self as the gem so beautiful that only a few will ever truly meet her.

The girl who was scared to break free when she had something to say

But now that girl is a woman who speaks her mind, for she is tired of being treated like she doesn’t matter or her time isn’t as precise as the rest.

She doesn’t continue to sit on the sidelines and just be silent when she has something to say because you’re too scared to step out of line, for he doesn’t want to be punished.

But how long do you want to stay silent?

I’ve allowed myself to be kept behind those walls out of fear and lack of confidence.

But no more, I matter, and my voice will be heard whether you like it or not because you should be considered for others for once in your life. Because I’m tired of making excuses for you, you smile and move on.

I’ve had enough, and the thing is, there is no way to put me back in that wall, for the power of my voice coming out of me is too powerful for me to stay silent ever again.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

Oh when will

Summer end so I curl up in front of the fireplace with a good book.

I get so lost in the pages that the cold doesn’t bother me anymore.

Only in between chapters will I look up and admire the fire.

For it’s the little things, I look forward to and know what adds up in my life.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

The need

to relax is strong

as I sit here sipping on some tea

Watching some of the people of this world float away in hot air balloons.

I realize it’s been a while since I’ve observed the world.

Lately, I’m always on the move , making me miss out on so much.

I just hope I can continue to slow down and enjoy the things I used to love to do.

For I know, tomorrow is not promised, and if today is all I have, I do it all and go to sleep with a smile on my face knowing I left nothing to chance.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

One of

A kind is all we ever want to be because standing out is what makes us unique.

So having a talent or a gift is something we strive for all our lives.

In hopes of making a difference so we can be proud of ourselves and when tomorrow doesn’t come, we know we left our mark on life.

And we can smile at our accomplishments, and if tomorrow does come, we can continue to work hard at what we love.

And while leaving in the goodness of our present moments, we may forget it could end sooner than later.

And so I try to count all my blessings and enjoy the life I have because complaining just isn’t worth it anymore.

Now I hope, and I dream and put in the work to get it to do so there is nothing left to wonder what if about.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2023 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

I didn’t know

I needed to hear those kind words today.

But the words touched me in a way that I can’t go on feeling the same way I have before.

I can’t keep holding myself back from the possibility that something significant may happen to me if I try.

That I am open to the things, I’ve closed myself off to.

That hiding hasn’t made me feel any better than if I was in sight of you.

One day it could be me, and even today, it’s not.

I’m okay with that, but I know I’m open to it all, no matter what happens from this moment forward!

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2022 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

Sorry

Or maybe I’m not sorry for being myself

But I am sorry if something I’ve said or did trigger you.

I know we all have a past, and those memories haunt us even if we let them go years ago.

But all it takes is that one word to set us off, and I’m sorry if I did that to you.

Seeing you in pain has never been my goal, for I Rather see you smile at me and feel the joy in this place.

So that life can be much more for you because I know the road isn’t always so dark.

So let us walk in the light and let go of the grudges and the past hurt because the feeling of just not caring about it anymore is freeing.

For I am not that person to avoid being heard anymore, too scared to read because I can’t sound out the words, or that girl no one thinks wants the same things as them because I look different and I’m not looking desperate on the outside.

But maybe I felt the same inside and kept it all to myself like a bottle. I was so tight that nothing could sink out, and I was okay with that.

But now I’m not, and here I am with my cap off and nothing holding me back as the words flow from me like a beautiful waterfall that works hard not to dry up so people can keep showing up for so many to see her.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2022 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

No one

It warned me that life would be hard sometimes and that the tears keep flowing.

Like an unlimited River down my face when I’m too tired to say words.

And when I become too tired but still have so much to say that I have to get out.

That paper sometimes becomes not enough as I fill all the blank space with words of frustration and joy and whatever else I may feel.

Because sometimes I have so much to say and no one to say it to, the paper gets my words and my time.

Life can be so much more than I thought it could be, and sometimes it burns through me in a way that I’m energized to the max.

While other times it feels like I’m on my last battery life, and no matter how much I try to recharge, it feels like my wires are broken.

And I don’t know if I can do much but lay here and listen to song after song.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2022 By Deirdre Stokes

Poetry

Like the

Moon, sometimes I hide behind things in hopes of being unseen.

But sometimes, being something or someone different makes you stand out even when all you want to do is hide.

Too much attention can become too many demands, and expectations may lead to procrastination.

As you can’t keep up with being all or nothing and feeling like you failed sucks, you are looked at as something great, but you feel less than fabulous all the time.

And the expectations that you want for yourself are now impossible to contain, and your dream is gone like the moon on a cloudy day.

Written By: Deirdre Stokes Copyrighted ©️ 2022 By Deirdre Stokes