I once had a dream,
And in it was you—
Child of my heart,
Girl of my dreams.
Sweet little sister,
Bright as the dawn,
Right from the start
You’re real, it seems.

Brown hair, brown eyes,
A miniature me,
Is it really you—
Right out of my dream?
So quiet with others,
So open with me,
I really love you,
We make a good team.

1. summer

I didn’t expect my first
slice of independence to mean
a futon bed & eating peanut butter and jelly
for
every
meal

who didn’t teach me to make chicken?

I didn’t expect to become
a grandma overnight
everyone is ready to party and
my bedtime is 11pm

but
I like it
my cozy little
3-windowed bedroom
I have adjusted to
my rock hard futon
and I may still
have not unpacked
but I am good
where I am

2. committed

Ana's phone started pulsing, alerting her that she had an incoming video call. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw who it was. She hit the green button and watched as her favorite face came into view. "Alex! I was just praying for you."
"Hey Babe. Is this a good time to talk?"
"Any time is a good time. I miss you so much."
"How is your sister doing?"
"She's better. She and Samuel will be discharged on Monday morning, and then I'll be able to fly back home on Wednesday after she's settled in."
Alex smiled. "How's the baby doing?"

His thoughts were racing; reliving every single second, overthinking every spoken word. The fire grew bigger, and the screams intensified. He ran to the window, shattering the glass with the butt of his gun. Sparks were flying, and bits of the roof were already falling down. He was just about to dive through the flaming window when he felt arms around his shoulders, and he was being pulled back to safety.

Prologue

The Globe Academy was established for the pure purpose of pushing students to the very limits of their human capabilities. If anyone had high hopes for their children, they tried their hardest to get them into the Globe.

- He sprinted through the empty hall, hugging an arm around his side as every step sent another shot of agonizing pain riding his spine.

As I look around the room
A pleasing scene now greets my eyes:
A family is sitting ‘round
And pleasant warmth within them lies.

The youngest boy, his math in hand,
Is trying to work a complication;
Yet, he works without frustration,
In his eyes shines fascination.

Besides his son, the father sits
To give whatever help he needs,
Thus showing love borne for his boy
And for the family that he leads.

Captain Aurelius Cassian held his breath. He prayed to Juno for a son for months after he was told of the pregnancy, and he sent incense to Jupiter for a princely fellow, Venus and Cupid for a boy of comely appearance, and Mars for a suitable warrior of Rome. He begged the gods for an heir.
Now, he waited for the result of his prayers.

Just recently, I read a story on the news that caught my attention. It was about a teenage boy, who ran away from home. After using the money he had brought with him, he decided to start selling drugs and lived off of what he earned for several years. And when ruin found him, he slept outside, homeless and destitute. It was in this state that he asked himself what he was doing there and why he had run away from home; and he decided to go back.

It was snowing again.

Little boy with your cheeks so pink
And your eyes so blue
Tell me what's new with you?
Little one with your rocket high dreams
Laughter bubbling in streams
Oh I'll miss you, I'll miss you I will

Please
Stay little forever
I don't know what I would do
I would do without the little you
Oh, please
I'll remember forever
How your hand fits right in mine
How you smile every time
Oh little you