Night Terrors by Valerie Parente
You only feel afraid
in the nighttime
when the darkness spreads
across your eyes
but you may be mistaken
in your nightly fright
because without this contrast
you would not recognize the light.
The stars
the moon
the planets
the sky.
Rest assured
that you can rest tonight.
You should be anything
but terrified.
– Valerie Parente (6-26-2025)
One Woman
by Valerie Parente
One woman’s empowerment
is another woman’s degradation
and if you’re wondering who gets to decide
the answer is one woman,
one woman at a time.
– Valerie Parente (6-23-2025)
Trigger by Valerie Parente
How many people
roam around the world
trying not to be triggered
because the everyday man in the everyday trance
doesn’t understand
that the recovery phase
isn’t the same as unfazed.
It creeps up on you
these triggers
in the middle of a good day with a smile on your face
but you’re not okay
and the others don’t have a clue
that there’s a weapon inside of you
in the shape of a thought
waiting to be set off.
Therein lies the trickiness
of mental illness;
it’s invisible to everyone else
so we never know when we trigger it.
But there’s a beauty in you
that should be mentioned;
that you don’t go around the world
being unaffected.
Your triggers make you human
through and through
because what is a flawless mind
but a lesser version of me and you.
– Valerie Parente (6-22-2025)
What A Pretty Hill To Die On
by Valerie Parente
What a pretty hill that is
you chose to die on
climbed all that way
just to watch your town burn
took so much commitment
and sold your soul
using your last breaths
to cough up smoke.
Tell me, was the grass greener
on the other side?
Were you happier
being part of the lie?
Did you die as you lived,
succumbing to hate?
Did you use your influence
to fan the flames?
No that’s not a pretty hill
you chose as your cemetery
beneath the surface
you were once exemplary
but you used your good fortune
to cash into the institute
that never would have thought
to die for pretty little you.
– Valerie Parente (6-15-2025)
Everything Becomes Art by Valerie Parente
Everything she touches
turns to art.
Every challenge
a writing prompt.
Every dream
a metaphor.
Every breath
a lesson learned.
– Valerie Parente (6-14-2025)
Rhyme & Reason by Valerie Parente
I give the world meaning
applying rhyme and reason
because I can’t bring myself to believe in
thoughts without feelings.
For it all to be worth it
I write it down in verses
externalizing the imperfect
into patterns on the surface.
When I break down the rhythm
like flashing colors in a prism
the nonsensical drivel
starts to sound like wisdom.
I give the world depth
making beauty from the mess.
What is creation if not a breath?
To wipe away the fear of death.
– Valerie Parente (6–12-2025)
Voices by Valerie Parente
Your mind was still your mind
when you were too young for words.
You were someone before you could define
anything in this world.
That’s how I know when your thoughts are unkind
it is something separate that creates the hurt.
You are the thing behind
the whispers that float forth.
You are not the voices in your head,
you are the choices you make
after hearing them.
– Valerie Parente (6-10-2025)
A Mouthful of Crystals by Valerie Parente
Years ago I drew a picture of a girl
with crystals in her mouth
and I couldn’t remember
if they were going in or coming out.
I realized the answer depends
on how I feel now
empty and unfulfilled, begging to fill a hole inside
or full of emotion, like I need to express what’s on my mind.
Funny how the big picture
morphs to mimic your perspective;
the world is only as set in stone
as a crystal is reflective.
– Valerie Parente (6-7-2025)
Forbidden Fruit by Valerie Parente
Temptation isn’t temptation
without a moral compass
and sin isn’t sin
without omniscient justice.
But who gets to say
what is and isn’t forbidden?
Who are you really spiting
with the apple you’ve bitten?
How can you say my nature is evil
if I was created in His image
then turn around and say He loves me
without any conditions?
I’ve deprived myself long enough
thanks to willful ignorance,
starved myself
thinking I would be different,
felt the bones of my ribcage
with blind commitment,
realized I lost half my life
to a sick and twisted vision,
then rose from the dead
with a whole new mission;
I will sink my teeth into fruit
regardless of permission.
– Valerie Parente (5-31-2025)
Mirror Mirror by Valerie Parente
Mirror mirror
on the wall
why do you lie
to girls so small
they turned to you
and asked what’s wrong
then you showed them themselves
and did them harm.
Don’t speak about fair
when innocence is involved
you are no bastion
of truth at all.
– Valerie Parente (5-26-2025)
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