Theme of Rather Be Haunted & Explanation behind Title
– Valerie Parente (7-13-2020)
Theme of Rather Be Haunted & Explanation behind Title
– Valerie Parente (7-13-2020)

Public Display of Creation
by Valerie Parente
She is afraid
of what it means to be admired
in the physical way.
And what does it mean
to be a public display?
The glitter and glamour
of all of the fame
or will she succumb
to the pressure to hide away?
What does it mean to be successful
in this day and age
when all your words are picked apart
and everyone has a say?
Because her words are her art
but the public could always manipulate
the words from her heart.
Oh but how dare they?
How dare you have an agenda,
to destroy what others make?
How dare you burn the books
when you don’t like a phrase?
How dare you take this world
and demand it revolve around your name?
Because we are all artists
with a freedom to create
and to censor what becomes popular
will only lead to a world of heartache.
Yes she’s afraid
of making it to the mainstream
but that’s a risk she’ll take
because every story needs to be seen.
– Valerie Parente (7-8-2020)
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)

Colorblind by Valerie Parente
When a million red flags aligned
I chose to be colorblind
because it’s easier when your sight
can only register black or white.
Two extremes to choose between
until a rainbow had to intervene.
– Valerie Parente (7-5-2020)
Reflecting by Valerie Parente
When she reflects on her behavior
she sees her full figure
a girl who longed to be the healer
of someone as dear as a stranger
a person who liked to treat her
like she was just a feature
of what he saw in the mirror
until he found someone weaker
whose insecurity stroked his ego deeper
and now she couldn’t see it any clearer
that this hellish pain is what freed her.
– Valerie Parente (6-30-2020)
No Longer Walking On Glass by Valerie Parente
I don’t feel like I’m walking on glass any more.
I don’t feel like I need to protect an ego so fragile it would break if I smile
and I realize that relationships are supposed to be good, not a constant battle.
I walk along freely and I realize how easy it is connecting with someone who respects me
and it’s not that you were bad
your words were just sharp as glass and my skin was too sensitive for that.
I tip-toed carefully when I should have been able to run free
but now that I’m done with that routine I can finally move on with ease.

– Valerie Parente (6-24-2020)
Let Go by Valerie Parente
Do not give energy to your worries
because the universe will try to warrant those worries
because the law of attraction
is judged by your interaction
with the thoughts that make it all happen.

– Valerie Parente (6-23-2020)
Typical Feeling by Valerie Parente
It’s not fair for me to attach myself to memories
because the things that are important to me
aren’t necessarily admired equally
it doesn’t matter how strongly I believe
feelings are not facts, they’re just brain chemistry
and maybe if I accept that as my reality
then I wouldn’t seem like this OCD creep
memorizing feelings that nobody else reads
it’s a habit that’s no longer helping me breathe
because appreciating details gets pretty lonely
and reading your energy exerts my energy.
I guess it was just a typical feeling
that I glorified beyond its meaning
then modified my priorities like a chameleon
and fell for traits that promote teasing
a mistake I’ve made before, despite reason
but this time I finally stopped believing
and I’ll never go back to daydreaming
because this match was never even
just a rigged game I used for healing
and in that way I was also scheming.
I guess there’s nothing special about my demons.
– Valerie Parente (6-16-2020)

Wind Up Toy by Valerie Parente
I’ve been played
led in a straight line
but I can’t think straight
after all this time.
You wound me up
into an emotional frenzy
then sold me out
and I wound up crazy.
– Valerie Parente (6-13-2020)
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)