A lonely dove
looking for love,
took a short break
for her own sake.
She looked inside
and found some pride,
feeling a shove
she flew above.
She felt awake
finding a lake,
her wings were wide,
oh, what a ride!
She saw her form
and felt so warm,
her glide was fast
in love at last.
Attention came,
found her twin flame,
flew by her side
their hearts now tied.
She did not ask
but found her task,
true love within
always brings wins.
– Grace Y. Estevez-Reddy
I jumped through hoops,
and skinned my knees,
in hopes that you
would notice me.
Erased my thoughts,
always agreed,
and prayed that you
would care for me.
I changed my style
and how I speak,
hoping that you
start loving me.
You then approved,
and filled with glee,
not knowing you
did not know me.
Until one day,
I set you free,
returning back
to find true me.
On that same day,
I let you see,
the shine that glowed
inside real me.
We then embraced,
our destiny,
and formed a life
for you and me.
Acceptance for
being unique,
allowed us both
to be happy.
– Grace Y. Estevez-Reddy
True self-assurance.
Assess your uniqueness,
then learn to love it.
– Grace Y. Estevez-Reddy
Entangled by an alluring dance,
oblivious to its mute romance.
Entrapped and captured, soon seduced,
by knots so tight, they can’t come loose.
I toss and turn, try hard to sway,
the more I move, the more I stay.
My helpless heart stands still in place,
gives into loss, no will to chase.
But sacrifice is not my name,
refuse to play these worthless games.
Calm all my nerves, search through my mind,
tasting the hope that I soon find.
Open my eyes and come to see,
my captor has always been me.
The ego side, afraid to live,
realizing this, makes all knots give.
– Grace Y. Estevez-Reddy
So sorry that my hair is curly,
sorry my body is curvy,
So sorry your eyes must see,
every last bit that makes me, me.
So sorry that I’m not enough,
or that I act a little rough.
So sorry you can’t understand
or accept me, the way I am.
So sorry that I felt this way,
so happy that my views have swayed.
Never sorry for who I am,
instead grateful, I took a stand.
So happy that my hair has waves,
so happy I am now so brave,
enough to laugh off, all critique,
loving myself, being unique.
So happy that I never broke,
so happy I no longer choke,
I know that I was made perfect,
not put on earth as an object.
So grateful for all that I know,
so grateful I now run my show.
Teaching others, what life taught me,
not dictating who they should be.
– Grace Y. Estevez-Reddy
Always a pressing debt to pay,
a role to play,
great lines to say.
A hidden little nook to fill,
swallow the pill,
strengthens all will.
A painted smile stained solemn face,
run in the race,
legs locked in place.
No one is ever quite enough,
no longer tough,
life was too rough.
“I love you” is another phrase,
feelings convey,
causing a sway.
First-place can never come in last,
it happened fast,
forgotten past.
A new beginning chases clouds,
Sun shines around,
light takes a bow.
– Grace Y. Estevez-Reddy
Swallow my sadness
like it is a pill.
Exposing my heart
I stumble, it spills.
Swift hollow dulled pain,
consuming my chest.
My smile shining bright,
inside I need rest.
Shadow of my soul
haunts me to the core.
The more I receive
further, I deplore.
Wallow in dim pride,
a well-disguised ploy.
To keep worries far,
behave like a toy.
Mirrored reflection,
intently I stare.
See my younger self,
then whisper I care.
Summon inner strength,
demand it to stay,
command it to grow,
with each passing day.
– Grace Y. Estevez-Reddy
In between my heart and mind,
lives a voice quite hard to find.
clear to speak from deep inside,
giving truths while being kind.
In between my heart and mind,
ample taste for lives designed,
not staying within the lines,
all fun games are undefined.
In between my heart and mind,
expired thoughts fall far behind,
choices grasped if so inclined,
tearful eyes strong lights can blind.
In between my heart and mind,
loyal acts are ties that bind,
essence felt become aligned,
past scented times dance entwined.
In between my heart and mind,
inner conflicts are declined,
brilliant wisdom carry shine,
innocence perceived divine.
– Grace Y. Estevez-Reddy
A muted voice sings in your head,
the opaque words can not be read.
Loud blurry scenes live in your mind,
imagined lines left undefined.
Stardust hues create happy thoughts,
blinding both eyes from wars once fought.
Comfort your skull on silky sheets,
while all you seek is what you meet.
A glowing beam sets on your face,
shining your skin each waking day.
Sliding on rafts through streams foreseen,
living so posh, feeling so clean.
Melting my face in your deep eyes,
I meet myself, what a surprise.
All that I know, at once I see,
finding the key that lives in me.
– Grace Y. Estevez-Reddy
Rushing takes too long.
Stillness allows full focus.
Time is on my side.
– Grace Y. Estevez-Reddy
