Chris Depew

VSS 7/12/2023 – Fence

The rain came down. It was beating on the windshield, which sounded like a hundred water balloons bursting every minute across the glass. Skully didn’t mind as long as it prevented anyone from seeing him inside his car. Away from people and alone is how he preferred to spend his days. He knew he couldn’t hide out forever. He just needed to ensure that the fence he constructed around his inner darkness was strong enough to keep it contained. He feared it wasn’t. Kicking himself for feeding the darkness all these years, now he waited on his fate.

Shine

all these years later
I know we deserved a time to shine.
this was my falter
for these mistakes are all mine.

Burdens

I am invincible, that's what I thought and the life that I lived.

My health fading was the only thing I thought could break me.

Then there was you. You weren't what would ultimately break me. You never pushed or forced anything. You allowed me to be as I was.

What broke me was the weight of my regret and your memory. How something intangible could be so physically heavy, I may never understand.

I live each day carrying the weight of that regret like my trophy as if it makes my choices better - justifies the hurt in me and the hurt I have caused.

I can't imagine putting down this weight, and it is the only thing I have of you.

Willow Tree

Images of weeping willow trees
My mind keeps bringing to me. 
What are these visions meant to be. 

Deep roots yet gentle flowing limbs,
Standing firm yet dancing in the wind.
Resist not like the oak but like the willow bend

Or perhaps it's visions of a love affair. 
With hair flowing magically down her back
Deep roots and wisdom she doesn't lack.

No matter the lesson these visions bring, 
Giving joy and peace not recently known.
Forever grateful for with them I have grown.