I want to make a work of art
To come across as smart
I have word goals
I have tongue coals

Ideas burn cerebrally
Come alive incrementally

Burning midnight oil
I slave and I toil
Write in waking hours
Dream of novels in my sleep
But these dreams though sweet
Will not eternity for me keep

You see if I slave for years
Write for decades
Or sing for ages
All I've done is nothing

Neither am I worthy
To go as He didst go
For I in faith to lose myself
Would be not such a woe
And so now I am waking up
As I am put to sleep
Mine eyes are op'ed and lifted up
As physic'lly are my feet
So mercy rains upon my head
And Love looks down on me
While hands are pierced as His once were
And peace makes fear to flee

For me to die is such a gain
I dared not hope to have
While death's sharp sting is cancelled out
In light of His pure blood

By a lonely road stands a lonely light,
‘Neath the clouded full moon above.
A dismal stretch of a country path,
Devoid of warmth and love.
A traveler stands on the lonely road,
Looking both to the left and the right,
And turns to walk down the lonely road,
Lit by the lonely light.
Houses full of Christmas cheer,
Windows glow warmly within,
But the shutter is closed, the curtains are drawn,
And no one invites him in.
As he reaches a fork in the lonely road,
A lantern’s light draws his eye.

Disclaimer: The author does not, by recording the actions of the main character, endorse the actions of said character, or any other character in this work.

CHAPTER SIX: A Student Again

You have been approved for the Federal Pell for the school year 2013-2014. Please access your student account to accept Federal Aid.

Allie Holmes. Track: LVN. Class of 2015. Houston Community College.

That felt good.

Hey, it might just be community college, just an LVN, and just an associates’ for now. But it was still nursing school. I was going to be a nurse.

CHAPTER FIVE: University

I sat on the bench, nervously. I clenched my sweaty palms, as if that would release some of the itchy tension in my veins. Rolling my eyes back slightly, I could see the entirety of the room, crowded with students. My fingers smoothed over my report card, though it was pressed to perfection.

Would the advisor say I was finished? Could I graduate this coming May?

Snippet 1

"Grandad, will you play with me?"

Duncan smiled at the little girl while he closed his book. His voice was chipper, as per usual.

"Of course! What do you want to play?"

She looked mischievous.

"Will you play dolls with me?"

He grinned.

"Of course, Sweetheart."

The minutes passed by quickly while Duncan spoke in a high voice, and dressed Only Hearts Club dolls many times over. The two were so engrossed in their play that they didn't hear the knock on the front door, or notice when the visitor let himself in.

Snippet 1

Jules walked up to the desk with a heavy heart.

"How can I help you?"

"Your cheery smile is a good start. I'm here to see Mrs. Maldonado."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Maldonado has just drifted off to sleep and we think it's better for her to rest. If you want to wait we can let you know when she wakes up."

"Thank you, I'll be in the waiting room."

There's no rest for the weary
No, no port in sight
This journey is so dreary
I travel alone
Now I'm treading on water
Can't do this for long
I have no lighthouse spotter
Down under I go

But in your arms is where I find my rest
Yeah, my cerebral port
I call on your heart to make mine steadfast
Oh, my cerebral port

a line i hoped he'd never write
a word i'd rather scratch
a turn the story didn't need
i thought so anyways.

my author wrote that stormy bit;
its darkness could be felt.
the rain sent shivers down my spine
and quiv'ring to my lips.

the tunnel dark was hard to grasp
why did it need to mar
the beauty of the written piece
that i had grown to love?

the final end, so sadly broken
but wrought by loving hands;
was mended perfect: tearful joy
finished it at last.

When I look at the sky, and see ten thousand stars
Cradled in Your loving hand,
I take a moment and ponder on the wonders
And the vastness of Your Land.
Your majesty and Your infinite Being
Of holiness and glory;
Your gentle eyes on me that are always seeing
My poor and finite story.
Poor and finite no more: for You have done a work;
You have made me immortal;
As Holy King You lift me gently when I shirk,
You've opened Heaven's portal.