Lexi by Valerie Parente
I was not heart broken when she died
I was heart broken when she was dying
Once she died I felt a feeling of relief
and I think that’s God’s way of telling me
she’s where she’s meant to be.
– Valerie Parente (6-27-2019)
Category: Poetry
Stand My Ground
Stand My Ground by Valerie Parente
I know my place
upon this Earth
I cannot be
provoked or disturbed.
What’s meant to be
has always been.
Do not worry
about the time you’ve spent.
– Valerie Parente (6-26-2019)
Full Moon Baby
Full Moon Baby by Valerie Parente
The gravity of her decisions is a balancing act
On a full moon she learned how to manipulate the mad
and when she sees her mistakes she thinks “oh that’s a shame”
but the weight of her fate is never in vain.
– Valerie Parente (6-24-2019)
The Way You Treat Me
The Way You Treat Me by Valerie Parente
The way you treat me is not a reflection of my worth
it’s a reflection of yours.
Your value is dictated by your ability to value.
And you will be graced when you show gratitude.
Because I expect
you to project
a level of respect
based on the emotional needs
you should have already met.
– Valerie Parente (6-17-2019)
Empathy
Empathy by Valerie Parente
The most alive
I’ve ever felt
was when I empathized
with someone else.
– Valerie Parente (6-11-2019)
Path
Path by Valerie Parente
I chose the path but you chose to lead the way
footprints in the dirt recording what I say
you were walking ahead with your back to me
I was out of breath trying hard to breathe
you were nervous because you thought I was going to catch up and catch on
but the truth is my mind is already three steps in front of it all.
– Valerie Parente (6-10-2019)
Confrontation
Confrontation by Valerie Parente
I was hoping for a confrontation
because confrontation is better than the static of listening to you lie to yourself again and again
and if you’re willing to sacrifice your emotional growth to be “right” then I have no problem spending time with people farther along in life.
– Valerie Parente (6-10-2019)
A Writer’s Threat
A Writer’s Threat by Valerie Parente
For years I have been my own muse.
If I make you my muse then you have done the near-impossible… you have overthrown my ego. Congratulations, you are divine in my eyes.
Just hope to God that you’ve become my muse for enchanting my life, not for inflicting senseless pain. Because if you try to write me off then I’m going to turn the writer on. If you ask me to stop then guess what? You just gave me a new prompt. I can orchestrate a symphony of sentences that will touch you to tears or I can arrange a thousand words into your personal hell. Both will pierce your heart ten times stronger than you pierced mine. And when you read what’s on my mind you better actually listen to the message and cherish the emotional chords it strikes, good or bad, because a storm of more rhymes and literary devices are about to head your way and tear apart every piece and particle that once constructed your comfort zone… and that’s going to continue happening with more and more force until I become your muse.
felt cute, might stab someone with my words later
– Valerie Parente (6-4-2019)
Tangled
“String Me Along”
Tangled by Valerie Parente
All these tangled thoughts
have one common thread
twisted in a pattern
I’ve memorized in my head.
Stringing me along
with so much time spent
leaving me weak and worn
frayed and torn to shreds.
So much pretty yarn
it tells me where I’ve been
but it’s nobody’s concern
when I tie up the loose ends.
I wonder how long
until someone notices
I’ve been weaving my words
hoping that they’ll be read.
– Valerie Parente (5-31-2019)
the truth is, I’m frustrated
the truth is, I’m frustrated by Valerie Parente
I’ve been the strong one. I’ve proved I’m smart, have a heart, and can read the mind of the most troubled. I’ve traveled, I’ve stayed, I’ve gone out of my way, I’ve done everything under the sun to prove that I am good enough. I’ve felt high, I’ve felt brave, I’ve felt the electricity every cliché claims. I’ve given time, I’ve given space, and left you so amazed. I’ve been brutally honest, I’ve been reassuring, even when my mind was hurting. I’ve been a friend, I’ve been family, I’ve been a team-player even when you played me. I’ve been wise, I’ve been right, and I understand your mind when I write my lines. I’ve been forgiving, I’ve maintained a good mood even when I should have been rude. I’ve been sweet, I’ve been grateful, even when I should have hated you. I’ve been impressive, I’ve been respectful, I’ve shielded you from my pain even when it drove me mental. I’ve gone above and beyond and I did it for what?
At what point did I go wrong?
I see a boy care about me then I watch it dissolve.
What is it about me that nobody wants?
Because every time I care I become the saddest person of all.
The truth is, I’m frustrated, and I think I have every right to be. Because I’ve been the kindest person of all and the girl God needed from me. So why the hell am I alone? Why the hell am I unseen? I’m right in front of your faces being the best damn version of me.
Call me crazy, why not?
But I think it’s a damn shame
when you’re there for someone’s darkest hour but they won’t give you the time of day.
All I want is to be loved.
And I think I’m fairly done.
Because I don’t know how much longer I can be the strong one.
– Valerie Parente (5-28-2019)
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