My Dreams

My Dreams by Valerie Parente

In Touch pagesI keep on wishing
someone will listen
as I try to make sense
of my mental illness
so I put it in print
then decided to distance
spent time with my best friend
then she went to heaven
but the world keeps spinning
so I keep on living
trying to make a difference
while I feel her within
I hope my story transcends.

 

– Valerie Parente (10-1-2019)

Good Grief

"Still Fresh" by Valerie Parente

Good Grief by Valerie Parente

It’s strange how sympathy only lasts so long before people move on
And I’m not saying we should live our lives based on what we have lost
But good grief, my pain still feels so fresh
Meanwhile everyone else seems to forget.
Maybe one day my heart will no longer be broken in half
But the scar that heals over is a mark that will always last
And people say I’m too sensitive
People say someday I’ll mend again
But I can’t believe any other person truly understands the pain I’m in
Yes I understand that the shock wears off in time
But it’s hard to let go with a mind like mine
And if healing means leaving her image behind
Then I guess all I want is to be scarred for life.

– Valerie Parente (9-23-2019)

 

The Fear I Long For

The Fear I Long For by Valerie Parente

The truth is I’m absolutely terrified
of being anything but absolutely terrified…
of being enough without having to prove myself
of feeling a touch without having to remove myself
of being the person I know I am
in front of someone who understands.

tulip feet

– Valerie Parente (9-16-2019)

Promise

Promise by Valerie Parente

I know I will see you again
when I am no longer me
and you are no longer the you I knew
but we will be together
in an infinite room.

"I Meant What I Said When I Said We Will Be Together Again" by Valerie Parente

“I Meant What I Said When I Said We Will Be Together Again” by Valerie Parente

– Valerie Parente (9-15-2019)

I Will Never Be The Same

I Will Never Be The Same by Valerie Parente

"Full Moon Morose" by Valerie Parente

Everyone always says that things feel different…
when someone you love goes,
and you start to feel a gaping hole.
But I don’t see how that could be true…
because your life wasn’t just a phase,
you came and I will never be the same.

Because as I see it
What I believe
Is that when someone leaves
and leaves you with a mark
I think that proves
that they’re still with you.

– Valerie Parente (9-14-2019)

Dear Abby

I Love You Abby

Dear Abby by Valerie Parente

I miss you more today
Than I missed you when you left
I know you’re out of pain
But it’s still hard to accept
The fact that I can’t see you another day
is so damn hard to comprehend
And it’s driving me insane
Knowing you only exist in my head
But maybe that’s my strength
Not a sign of a weakness
Because if you can still exist in my brain
Then I’ll never be alone again.

– Valerie Parente (9-9-2019)

Paw Prints

Paw Prints by Valerie Parente

I’m not devastated like I always expected.
I’m better today than I was when she was still here in pain.
I truly believe that she is not gone, but has simply moved on.
So why is there still a sense of pain imprinted in my brain?
I did everything right, I said hi and goodbye and goodnight.
I showered her with praise and said I love you every day.
I created a childhood of her own and made the most of every milestone.
I always gazed at that little girl knowing that she wouldn’t be around forever and I cherished every memory that I made with her.
I did everything I was supposed to do.
So why do I feel pain when I see her paw prints? Why do I feel pain when I see her fur around the house? Why do I feel pain when I go to say goodnight and she’s not there?
Maybe because all these things signify the “past” since she has passed
but she does not feel like a memory
I still feel her with me, deep inside, just as much as I did when she was alive.

Abby Paw Prints

– Valerie Parente (9-2-2019)

 

 

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)