Today I will let it all ride,
no rhyme or reason kept inside.
Disgusted by how I see life,
the give and take is a big lie.
Built to just give but never take,
could never dare to expect breaks.
Some acts are sweet but also fake,
with rehearsed scenes for their own sake.
A pain filled heart is hardly heard,
unless some gossip can be stirred.
True love is seen as just absurd,
plastic emotions cover words.

Search deep inside to find the words,
my pity party seems absurd.
Release the pain my thoughts have stirred,
let tears cascade and cries be heard.
Learn to forgive for my own sake,
keep genuine, dismiss the fake.
Do not hold tight once the bonds break,
wishes appear for me to take.
The truth inside could never lie,
so well prepared to live this life.
In touch with how I feel inside,
hold on to light and take a ride.

– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy

My poem Thoughts, was published at Spillwords on November 29, 2022. In light of my recent nomination for Author of the Year by Spillwords Press, I have decided to re-share some of my previously published work. It has taken me years to find the courage to publish anything I have written, so you can only imagine what this nomination means to me. If you enjoy my poetry, I would really appreciate it if you could take a moment to vote for me, voting will be conducted via this page: https://spillwords.com/vote/. Today is the last day for votes. Thank you so much for all of your support during these past two years. In that time, you have all inspired me to write over 1,450 poems. I am so grateful to this amazing WordPress community. 💕

I would also like to thank Dagmara K, and the whole team at Spillwords for the nominations and for publishing my poems/interviews. I truly appreciate their continued support. 💕

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

My poem Second Wind, was published at Spillwords on August 30, 2022. In light of my recent nomination for Author of the Year by Spillwords Press, I have decided to re-share some of my previously published work. It has taken me years to find the courage to publish anything I have written, so you can only imagine what this nomination means to me. If you enjoy my poetry, I would really appreciate it if you could take a moment to vote for me. General Voting will be officially held from
1/26 (Thursday) – 1/31 (Tuesday) and will be conducted via this page: https://spillwords.com/vote/. Thank you so much for all of your support during these past two years. In that time, you have all inspired me to write over 1,450 poems. I am so grateful to this amazing WordPress community. 💕

I would also like to thank Dagmara K, and the whole team at Spillwords for the nominations and for publishing my poems/interviews. I truly appreciate their continued support. 💕

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

I am so excited to announce that my poem Second Wind is now available at Spillwords Press. I would like to thank Dagmara K., and the whole team at Spillwords for publishing this poem, and for all of their continued support.

I would be so very grateful if you would go here, and like/comment as well. Thank you! 💕

A wise woman I knew,
never could read a book,
she cared for the chickens,
sang and danced as she cooked.

She could make sweet candy,
curdling milk with lime,
adding sugar too,
it tasted sublime.

Building her fine house,
of mortar and bricks,
she mopped it inside,
with a rag and stick.

Not watching a clock,
when predicting time,
instead looked outside,
noticing sunshine.

Quickly sniffing air,
smelled visits from rain,
once or twice saved lives,
curing any pain.

Her eyes could not read,
but her mind could see,
all the kindest hearts,
and the greatest thieves.

Brilliant like no other,
grand ties made us friends,
bonds with no known start,
never see an end.

– Grace Y. Estevez-Reddy

“Illiterate” was originally published on January 14, 2021 and published on SpillwordsPress on March 22,2021.