Bonus by Valerie Parente
You are not my goal,
but you are a bonus.
I learned to live without,
so now I can live with.
– Valerie Parente (3-25-2021)
Tag: strength
Strength Today
Strength Today by Valerie Parente
It killed me back then
but I’m so alive now
I didn’t carry myself up
to burrow back in the ground.
You say I’m going easy
but I think I’m going strong
because I’ve taken what I’ve learned
and moved myself along.
I didn’t know I’d be validated
back when I found my strength
and that’s why I can handle
whatever comes today.
I don’t see the point
in making someone sad about the past
when they express an understanding
of the things that have passed.
Why would I want
to ignore the happiness I feel today
and spoil the present
in the name of former heartache?
My heartache doesn’t own me,
I am owned by my strength,
and my strength is telling me
it’s okay to celebrate.
That’s the thing about happiness,
it’s kind of like pain,
you have to choose to let it in,
and that’s a choice I’m willing to make.
– Valerie Parente (3-16-2021)
Too Much Loss For One Year
Too Much Loss For One Year by Valerie Parente
This has been a really devastating year
with more loss than our brains can comprehend,
some said with goodbyes
some with unfinished sentences.
It’s not that we’re okay with the loss,
it’s that we didn’t have a chance to lament.
It’s not that we’re dwelling in the past,
it’s that there was no proper end.
And it’s not that I’m mad or insensitive,
but there are some goodbyes I simply cannot accept.
Some explanations are not just explanations
but a farewell, my dear friend.
And I guess the collective conscience within all of us
is learning a very hard lesson,
that the world will keep on turning
no matter who’s lost interest.
– Valerie Parente (10-17-2020)
Living Proof
Living Proof by Valerie Parente
Funny how my biggest fear is being alone
but I’ve been doing just that my whole life.
Lovely how we can be so deeply afraid
of what we’ve already proven we can get through.
You are so much stronger
than you give your conscience credit for.
– Valerie Parente (9-3-2020)
Valor
Valor by Valerie Parente
God, give me the strength to be honest with myself
and everyone else.
– Valerie Parente (12-31-2019)
Rise Above
Rise Above by Valerie Parente
You beat me to the punch
Knocked me upside the head
But I got off the ground once
I can do it again.
– Valerie Parente (11-29-2019)
Blessed
Blessed by Valerie Parente
Strength. Compassion. Intelligence. Beauty. Courage. Faith. Love.
The very things that I prayed for in a companion were in me all along.
– Valerie Parente (8-12-2019)
Be Strong
Be Strong by Valerie Parente
I have a million reasons why I love being around you
and that’s the one reason why I have to learn to be without you.
– Valerie Parente (7-21-2019)
the truth is, I’m frustrated
the truth is, I’m frustrated by Valerie Parente
I’ve been the strong one. I’ve proved I’m smart, have a heart, and can read the mind of the most troubled. I’ve traveled, I’ve stayed, I’ve gone out of my way, I’ve done everything under the sun to prove that I am good enough. I’ve felt high, I’ve felt brave, I’ve felt the electricity every cliché claims. I’ve given time, I’ve given space, and left you so amazed. I’ve been brutally honest, I’ve been reassuring, even when my mind was hurting. I’ve been a friend, I’ve been family, I’ve been a team-player even when you played me. I’ve been wise, I’ve been right, and I understand your mind when I write my lines. I’ve been forgiving, I’ve maintained a good mood even when I should have been rude. I’ve been sweet, I’ve been grateful, even when I should have hated you. I’ve been impressive, I’ve been respectful, I’ve shielded you from my pain even when it drove me mental. I’ve gone above and beyond and I did it for what?
At what point did I go wrong?
I see a boy care about me then I watch it dissolve.
What is it about me that nobody wants?
Because every time I care I become the saddest person of all.
The truth is, I’m frustrated, and I think I have every right to be. Because I’ve been the kindest person of all and the girl God needed from me. So why the hell am I alone? Why the hell am I unseen? I’m right in front of your faces being the best damn version of me.
Call me crazy, why not?
But I think it’s a damn shame
when you’re there for someone’s darkest hour but they won’t give you the time of day.
All I want is to be loved.
And I think I’m fairly done.
Because I don’t know how much longer I can be the strong one.
– Valerie Parente (5-28-2019)
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