Guilt

 "Guilt don't live here no more!"

I said, "good bye" to her

and promptly shut the door!

And so I thought
I'd say those words
and she would go away.

But she came back
with all her friends
and said, they're here to stay.

First, Doubt crept in
with shaky hands and
tapped me on the back.

Then, icy fingers
slipped in next as
Fear wrapped 'round my neck.

Anxiety and Worry
were the next to swiftly follow.
I exhaled deeply and told them,
"I'll deal with you tomorrow.

 Please, just leave me alone!
I don't like your absurd game."
But someone else had slithered in,
my old nemesis, Shame.

I felt so small,
my heart beat fast,
and now I seemed so weak.

I knew this wasn't
who I am,
my voice sounded so meek.

How did they all have
such a hold on my heart
and my mind?

To find the answer,
I would have to
think back and rewind.

Was there a time
I let them in and
listened to their lies?

Why, yes, and
not so long ago,
I came to realise.

Their lies became the rhythm
to which my fooled heart beat,
their words became the chorus
ringing in my own defeat.

I allowed
their toxic speech to
poison my true voice.

I had chosen
to believe
I had no other choice.

Then life became survival,
Creativity blew away.
My soul's song had been silenced,
in this sad game I would play.

But maybe there was still a chance,
the whispering of hope...
Somehow, I would find myself,
not just merely cope.

For dreams and visions
guided me
and kept my soul alive,

reminding me
that one day I'd do more
than just survive.

And now I stand
 with my feet firmly
planted on the ground.

Those toxic words,
they have no grasp,
they're merely noise and sound.

They only had a hold on me
when I believed their lies.
I'd dedicate my life to live in love,
with them break ties.

I still hear the echoes
of the poison lies they spew.
But I say they are powerless.
I know that they aren't true.

And though my heart is fragile
and my mind can be so loud,
my soul is strong and beautiful
and I stand tall and proud.

Far over the Pacific

Five years had passed,
now five more have gone.
It's time to reflect
before moving on.

Somewhere far away
a dream once came alive
to live a life fulfilled,
not merely just survive.

  It became quite clear that
the dream which then took hold
would come at a high price,
we needed to be bold.

We'd leave behind our loved ones,
risk all for the unknown.
The four of us together,
we were not alone.

From conception to the journey
our dream would lead us on,
our plan evolved and became real.
Soon five years had gone.

Then, tangible before us,
we said our last good byes,
sad to leave our loved ones,
our eyes turned to the skies.

Far over the Pacific
we woke to a new day,
our lovely destination
bathed in golden ray:

A place where clear blue waters
meet never-ending sky,
wild birds glide over forests
and mountains rise up high.

At night, the stars all new
the evening air a treat,
exotic birds to wake us,
their morning music sweet.

 

We set out to explore, 
both islands free to roam,
searching for the spot
we'd call our forever home.

 

Hills, lakes, forests, beaches,
we traveled far and near 

 Waterfalls, refreshing!
We really love it here!

In the Bay of Plenty,
thriving from the ground,
life here in abundance,
a lovely place we've found.

Now the time has passed
as our journey carries on.
This place becomes our home.
Five more years have gone.

When we look back and see,
we let it all sink in,
the new friends we have made,
the places we have been,

we will not take for granted
all the blessings we've received,
remind ourselves we got this far
because we have believed.

New dreams have now been spun,
we've changed and we have grown.
Through the seeds we're planting
new adventures have been sown.

Our feet firmly planted,
our hearts and minds in unity,
from here, we'll shape new worlds,
a strong thriving community.

Not just passing through,
this place we build to thrive.
All are welcome here
and dreams can come alive!