Pull

Pull by Valerie Parente

She feels the pull
of light in equal amounts
the full fledged growth
from a garden she’s planting now.

They say it’s a green thumb
but it’s more like a claw on her hand
the one she used to scrape the dirt
then watch the seeds turn to plants.

This is no burial
it’s a call to rise
for a girl to become the woman
like a flower growing towards the light.

That light is her future self
smiling from above
a perfect reflection
of the frown she came from.

This pull she felt since she was young,
it was always in her view
and the only thing that is with you 100% of the time…
make no mistake, it is future you.

– Valerie Parente (3-22-2025)

I’ll Miss You Until Forever

I’ll Miss You Until Forever by Valerie Parente

Girl,
You’re not gone
Despite the loss
You’re never lost
I know where you are
You’re in my heart.

And girl,
I don’t cry anymore
Because the last thing I hoped for
When you were still here on earth
Was for you to be free from your hurt.

Sweet girl,
I’ll miss you today and I’ll miss you the next
It will not be easy but I will do my best
Your life was my light and your peace is a promise
Life will go on but your impact will never end
I’ll miss you until forever when I see you again.

Abby Parente

– Valerie Parente (8-25-2019)

Paradox Lock

Paradox Lock by Valerie Parente

I am tense where I am supposed to be open
So I pretend that this is a voluntary means of coping
Just a treasure I’ve been withholding.
But the truth is I have no control
of the impossible pain that takes its toll.

I am a lock who is supposed to love a key.
The very thing meant to set me free
is the same cause for my strong agony.
What they call the highest of highs
comes through me as the loneliest night.

I am exhausted when I am supposed to be energized.
They say this problem has psychological ties
manifesting as fear deep inside.
But if this is true then why can’t I recall
the very trauma that started this all?

For so long I was stuck with this mystery.
Where could I find this abnormality?
After they pointed out reality
I read into how this condition thrives
but I am still left wondering why.

Lock

– Valerie Parente (11-22-2017)