Theme of Rather Be Haunted & Explanation behind Title
– Valerie Parente (7-13-2020)
Tag: heartbreak
Poetic Plot
Poetic Plot by Valerie Parente
For the past few years
the only thing that got rid of my writer’s block
was when you’d go and pissed me off
so now that you’re dead and gone
I’m struggling to remember how to start.
How do I write a piece from my heart
without getting your image involved?
Because you were the one to break me apart
and I know that contradicts my thoughts
that I’m trying to write about moving on
but it’s way too damn hard
not to end this with a vicious remark
a quick fuck you for affecting my art
and a quick thank you for making me your pawn
because that sick game you called my fault
made a hell of a good poetic plot.
– Valerie Parente (7-6-2020)
Rather Be Haunted (A Poetry & Prose Collection) OUT NOW
Love. Heartache. Death.
Rather Be Haunted documents a dark period for the poet. Emotions linger like ghosts. Interpersonal relations cause palpable frustration. Death breaks the heart but in the most beautiful way.
Through chronological poetry and prose you can feel all that haunts the obsessive compulsive writer’s psyche as she tries to understand her hyper-sensitivities through rhymes and clever lines. As frustration builds, so does resilience, making the struggles that define our humanity all the more remarkable. After all, isn’t the struggle to make sense of emotions the grandest mark of being alive? What makes us human hurts; that is the gift of the universe.
Rather Be Haunted is the second volume of poetry & prose by Valerie Parente, featuring Mannequin Art alongside writing pieces. You can now own the collection in Paperback or Kindle!
Red Flags
Red Flags by Valerie Parente
Next time I see warning signs I need to realize
that this frustration makes me see red;
that’s why the red flags were easier to protect
because the color wasn’t something I noticed.
– Valerie Parente (6-22-2020)
Time Heals Your Pain
Time Heals Your Pain by Valerie Parente
The universe knows how to heal the soul
by using a dimension called “time”.
We’re so used to this everlasting flow
that we forget it makes us divine.
Because time and time again
this world sends me the same message
that this pain will come to an end
as long as time progresses.
How incredible it is to realize
that the thing I wanted most a month ago
has transformed in my mind
as the worst case scenerio.
So next time you think you’re finished
and you think you’ve reached your demise
just remember we’ve been put on a planet
where the sun will always rise.
– Valerie Parente (6-20-2020)
Played
Played by Valerie Parente
If you’re trying to be a playmate
don’t be surprised when he plays dumb
even though he knew every single day
he played with your feelings for fun
This was always just a big game
and now its time for you to unplug.
– Valerie Parente (6-19-2020)
I Wouldn’t Change A Thing
I Wouldn’t Change A Thing by Valerie Parente
I’m still trying to untangle the web of associations I made with you
because you were present during some of my greatest moods.
I tried so many new things with you alongside me
I became an adult and I filled a hole that was deep.
Part of me thinks I never should have let that joy inside
but what kind of world would it have been without all the good times?
The conclusion to this relationship will always be a shame
but someday I know I’ll be able to remember without the pain.
If I could choose between what I wanted and what’s currently happening
then I can assure you beyond a doubt that I wouldn’t change a thing.
– Valerie Parente (6-11-2020)
Why?
Why? by Valerie Parente
I’m really not trying to live in the past tense
but why after all the ways you made my mind bend
do I still want to protect you from the consequence
of how you destroyed me with your actions?
I’m really not trying to cause any hurt
you might even ask “why would she print these words?”
and it’s because I’ll never be able to move forward
until I put these feelings on the record.
– Valerie Parente (6-9-2020)
Farewell
Farewell by Valerie Parente
How sad it must be
to go from a wonderful blessing
to my life’s greatest lesson.
– Valerie Parente (6-4-2020)
Bruised
Bruised by Valerie Parente
After months inside my mind
when I finally decided to cry
it wasn’t because I hate this life
it was because I love this life
but I just can’t seem to do it right.
I keep falling for someone wrong
someone safe that leads me along
but when it comes time to choose
I’m just the girl who got confused
and I can’t think of anything more cruel
than making my mental illness the excuse
and in the same breath using it as an ego boost
and I’m so Goddamn sick of being used.
I don’t know how I’m ever going to trust again
because you were my best friend
and the worst part is that in the end
I look like the bad guy for having feelings
because whenever I care it’s an inconvenience
whenever I care it brings out demons
and it must be the sick part of me that’s still hellbent
on protecting you from the emotional consequence.
– Valerie Parente (6-2-2020)
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