Let positive guide.
Listen to inner feelings,
choose the happy ones.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Pick Joy
Second Wind
To die a bit each passing day,
as ashes drift then fade away.
Colorful hues become pale gray,
a haunting path leads hopes astray.
Choke from the words that scream inside,
suffocates every ounce of pride.
Exposes all her true self hides,
allowing misery to guide.
Gain smiles from all by being fake,
a heart of steel could never break,
yet everyday emotions ache,
knowing her life is a mistake.
Walks to the edge, meets a light flash,
sways side to side as feelings crash,
takes two steps back, old hopes rehash,
sadness and fears thrown in the trash.
Moved far from that hollow old shell,
free from what felt like a cursed spell.
A beaming laugh she carries well,
her sincere stories she now tells.
Grateful to live in her own skin,
each moment helps a mark begin.
Amazed at how perspectives spin,
showing how faith can always win.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Hidden Truth
To spare your feelings
I will shut my mouth.
Practice self healing
while carrying doubts.
Drown the screams that echo my mind,
ignore shadows that trail behind.
Swallow salty tears,
say they come from joy.
Laugh off awful fears,
that come to destroy.
Carry great cheer, even if fake,
wear a big smile that never breaks.
Never be scrappy,
find sweet words to say.
Act as if happy,
pretend is okay.
A disguise converts to real,
but in each eye truth is revealed.
Dig deeper to find
answers torn hearts mold,
be gentle and kind,
so real love could hold.
– Grace Y. Estevez- Reddy
Comforting Act
Swallowing stale tears.
Fake smiles used as comfort shields.
Awkwardness is cleared.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Attempt
Flip negative thoughts.
Grasp inner strength to find hope.
Trying is worth it.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Bright Tomorrow
The pain that comes,
will somehow pass,
a cure for some,
happens so fast.
Slowly inhale,
take one last breath,
another fail,
led to hopes death.
Dark bloody stains,
dirty both hands,
life full of strain,
and tough demands.
So hard to show,
what is not there,
a forced fake smile
glows pure despair.
Rebuild your heart,
stitch with silk thread,
create a start,
release the dread.
Find happiness,
in the small things
watch as sadness
becomes extinct.
Take each day slow,
use baby steps,
each new reached goal,
leads to the next.
The fakest smile,
will become real,
as good times pile,
life gains appeal.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Playing Pretend
They run away
when she is sad,
she plays pretend,
so they feel glad.
A smile attracts more of the same,
but tears cascade with profound shame.
When life is good
all hands are in,
but shades of blues
fade bonds too thin.
Forget the pain just dance and sing,
swallow sad thoughts and wear a grin.
She makes believe
but inside tries,
hopes that some truths
come from her lies.
Carries the burdens thrown by all,
but allies hide before she falls.
A hollow space
fills up her heart,
she prays depression
soon departs.
Slowly inhales, shuts her eyes tight,
clear visions spark an inner light.
All on her own, talks with her mind,
advice she gives is always kind.
“Others will act in their own way,
but never let your brightness sway.
Tomorrow will bring wants and goals,
hold every joy to feed your soul.”
A smile so pure caressed her lips,
as held sadness suddenly slips.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Find Joy
Swallow the lump
stuck in my throat,
another bump
along the road.
Hold back the tears
behind my eyes,
ignore the fears
hidden inside.
Blink thoughts away
exhale a sigh,
feelings display,
silently cry.
Let it all out
with a loud scream,
my sad heart shouts,
“Control this dream.”
An instant peace
makes me feel calm,
flow with the breeze,
sway like a palm.
Wishes today
form tomorrow,
so joys can stay
and clear sorrows.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy
Gain Control
Uneasy sense
haunting my day,
making me tense
my spirit prays.
Take a deep breath
but it still stays,
feel like Macbeth
in my own play.
A yoga pose
or meditate,
try to let go
can’t concentrate.
I close my eyes
release my tears,
let hopes fly high
drowning my fears.
Take one more breath
it disappears,
falls to its death,
the clouds all clear.
Sun rays shine bright
happiness near.
Find inner light
hold it so dear.
– Grace Y. Estevez- Reddy
Hues of Hope
He wakes up exhausted,
feels the same while in bed.
His world is distorted,
numbness transforms to dread.
His moves are all stagnant
within his encaged thoughts,
dull memory fragments
haunt false tales he once bought.
Disguising his sad tears,
wearing a broken smile,
his attempts carry fears
often seen as hostile.
Raindrops produce music
that cascade on his head,
bringing hopes that may stick
and eventually spread.
Staring up at the sky
till a rainbow appears.
Aspirations run high
as his dusty mind clears.
An empowering choice
help him gain some control.
Finding ways to rejoice
swiftly brightens his soul.
– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy