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

November 6, 2021 40

Outlooks

I sometimes like to close my eyes
then hold my breath at the same time,
erase turmoil from my weak mind,
but fragments stay, lagging behind.

Surrounded while feeling alone,
suspicious when kind acts are shown.
Expecting my trust to be blown,
doubting myself and all I know.

All steps I take lead to regrets,
shaking my head, try to forget.
Each passing day always resets,
brings better views as life offsets.

Find inner strength let anguish go,
inhaling peace, feel as it flows.
I swallow time to take life slow,
so that my will can slowly grow.

Enlightened steps now lead the way,
my heart beats to the chants I say.
Knowing that life is a grand play,
sprinkle stardust on dreams that stay.

Embrace my days let go at night,
stay positive, expand insight.
Search deep within to find my light,
throw it up high so joys shine bright.

– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy

October 3, 2021 42

Trust

Every day carries
endless possibilities.
Keep all hopes alive.

– Grace Y. Estevez- Reddy

August 30, 2021 36

Mending

Deep pain dissolve as tears are shed,
holding them in, creates pure dread,
lingered feelings, grasp to then spread,
depression comes to kill hopes dead.

Anxious thoughts hit, no where to hide,
feel such a hallow pain inside,
so overwhelming, all peace dies,
so hard to swallow, lips chap dry.

Encaged body, feels so alone,
motive is lost, feet turn to stone,
social dependence live in phones,
everyone cares, love goes unknown.

Shed salty tears, sweet ones appear,
cries become laughs, bright essence nears,
kiss on the face dissolves all fears,
“Stay in the present”, sounds so clear.

“One day at a time” ships yesterday,
each passing step brings better ways,
tomorrow is here, bliss starts today,
joy is a choice, without delays.

Confidence comes to peel off masks,
heals emotions, eases all tasks.
Self assurance will rarely ask,
instead feels calm enough to bask.

– Grace Y. Estevez- Reddy

August 9, 2021 41

Will

Doing what she must
as ways to survive.
Smacking her own face
just to feel alive.

Numbed to all the pain,
seasoned to betrayal.
Holding her weak heart,
knowing she will fail.

Crying without tears,
she screams, no one hears,
cover her own ears,
to shelter her fears.

Falling to the ground,
with no one around,
Finds strength to stand proud,
fixes her tilted crown.

Exhales all the hell,
she had to endure,
then takes a full breath
to feel reassured.

Stands on her two feet,
her head in the air,
as her inner force,
tempts her to now dare.

Knowing deep inside
her aim can build towers.
Cradles brighter views,
embracing her power.