Publishing a poetry book and chose this poem to be in it! Wish me luck, friends! :")

Sunsets
Are a blazing fire across the
Sky: signaling
The end of an era, the
Closing of
A chapter, the
Final
Period.
But they serve as a reminder
Of how
Beautiful
The end can be
And
Of how change
Is necessary for
New
Beginnings
Because as the light burns out
And the moon begins to
Rise, it heralds the
New
Day. So you can keep
Your sunrise
And I’ll continue to love
My sunsets, along
With their given
Change

Millions of raindrops splattered and ricocheted off the concrete ground. Exiting a dry covered patio, with an umbrella in my hand, I walked over to a large pavilion in the center of the church campus. For months, the large Baptist church sat snugly in the dry, Highland California frontier, drinking in the sun’s golden rays. But, on January thirteenth, 2019—the first day of a massive speech and debate tournament occurring on the Church campus—dark cumulonimbus clouds decided to roll over the mountains and sweep over the peaceful church.

Williamsburg had observed visitors from around America with different personalities, stories, and lifestyles. To her, the large, homeschooled family was simply another group of eager sightseers. To my family and me, though, Williamsburg was new territory with a plethora of early American history. The town, built to resemble colonial Williamsburg, fascinated and excited my family. Little did we know how temperamental the East Coast weather was—and how swiftly it could reverse.

Jules leaned over the stovetop to stir her meat, wrinkling up her nose in pleasure over the smell. Steam was lazily drifting towards the ceiling, giving off the most delightful aroma. She hummed to herself while sprinkling in the seasonings, smiling over the words to the tune that wouldn’t leave her mind. She was halfway through shredding lettuce leaves when she heard a knock at the door. “Coming!” Her voice was cheery, and she dried her hands on her apron while practically running to the door.

I didn't know the pain of separation.
I couldn't feel the worth of your existence.
I tossed aside the times we played together
as if they didn't mean a thing to me.
And then
you left
and I was left
alone.
Regret for the pain
the insensitivities,
the hurt
that I've caused you...
it hurt my soul with a pain
that wrung my heart
'til I
couldn't stand the silence
anymore...
I wrote these words for you:

We are, very concisely, a walking contradiction.

Our brains are buzzing with thoughts and ideas, but we can’t sort them out in time to say what’s on our minds, so we can sometimes come across as quiet.

We are energized by social activities, but at the same time we quickly become exhausted because the bigger the group, the more people there are for us to read and feel and asses. It’s emotionally tiring.

We crave adventure and spontaneous trips, but our own homes and beds are our favorite places to be.

Father, give us faith.
We love you, or say we do, when convenient,
Working hard to serve when visible, yet tending to lag when alone.

We so often complain about the complacency of others --
But truly are ourselves complacent.
We do not devote ourselves enough to your Word,
Either in reading or obeying.
We do not pray as we ought.
We do not trust you enough.
We do not find you our ultimate rest, instead idolizing other things.
We do not consider you worthy of our all.

Forgive us.

It’s the moments when
Pain settles in my spine
And hovers around my cerebral
Cortex
Causing my intestines
To shake
That I realize
How weak I truly am
I’m letting down my teenage dreams
Of me
I’m not Wonder Woman
I can only sit still
While shaking
But maybe strength
Is more than being able to run
Or to fight
Maybe strength is resignation
To the inevitable
Saying
“I can’t walk today”
And being okay with that
Maybe strength is
Finding things to be

The American colonies surely suffer
A most unjust oppression.
Taxes come and taxes are rougher,
Still no representation.

Their darkest moment rises,
When war and death loom near.
Beneath despotism’ devises
They still refuse to adhere.

A group of men take charge
You surely know their names.
They create a nation, Oh so large,
Where Freedom’s scepter reigns.

In a patriot’s house together
Meeting in the cover of night
These diverse men do gather
To discuss the American Right.