Poetry: Stand, The nights are cold

The nights are cold, lonely and filled with recapturing nightmares

Shame covers me, then turns into fear

As I become afraid to share this deadly disease, afraid of what people will think of me

My showers are no longer what they used to be

Instead the time is spent scrubbing away the stain that only I can see

The scar invisible to all but visible to me

Reminds me of what you did to me

You took that which was precious to me

That I saved, praying and hoping that one day I could give to the one I love and who loves me in turn

But instead you shattered that hope and in turn shattered me

Shattered all my trust, shattered all my love, shattered the woman in me

I'm now left to pick up these shattered pieces caused simply by your insecurity

But no longer will I run, will I live this shame and disdain

But I will stand

Stand and be free from this misery that was placed here by your insecurities

I will stand tall to all that held me back

Stand to my fears and tell them no

Stand and refuse to be bitter while you live in happiness

I will stand and be free!

- Kerry Ann Thompson

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Pensive moments

Pensive moments

When tension fills the atmosphere

You've searched for peace and it stems from nowhere

You've searched deep within the soul

To gain that positive feeling and some self-control

All to relieve the pain and chaos

As you listen to the voice of the villagers

Crying out in vain

Oh, but the crises still remains

Starvation and hunger strikes

Babylon system still on the hike

War and battles they continue to fight

Many deaths

While others who barely survived

Are considered to blessed

As they thoroughly escape this civil unrest.

- Tamara Heathe

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Ode to Haiti

A day

No one wishes to remember

Yet, who could ever forget

A day

Etched in our minds forever?

No pleasure whatsoever

Who could1nniversaries are special?

Why should anyone celebrate

On this day?

Exactly one year after

The January 12 earthquake

Refusing to dwell on the impurities of life

I have faith in Haiti

Don't give up even in strife!

- Veronia Jackson

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Illusions

It was an illusion

Shards of broken promises

Shattered, irreverent on the floor

Pieces of me

Remnants of you

A fragment of imagination

Jagged edges create ragged stitches

Crimson stains the white starkness

Bandages wound tighten to stem the flow

Lies dissected

Truth erected

Reality walks out the door.

- Kimika Prawl

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The cloak

Just look at yourself

I say, just look good at yourself again

Now, tell me what's that you are hiding?

Can you see your true self?

What is the colour of your heart?

What is that look on your face?

Don't tell me that you are in shock!

You didn't know that your heart is dark and cold?

Please come and hear this message

The man called Jesus Christ is waiting to clean up your life

Only if you will let Him in your heart today

Now, just look at yourself again

How are you looking so good?

I feel brand new because I can feel a cloak of righteousness all over my life.

Thank you Lord Jesus!

Glory Alleluia!

I am so glad for this wonderful change in my life

Now, listen to me one and all

Come and take all that Jesus is offering you today

And your life will never be the same again

What are you waiting for? Come now!

- Marvalette Royal

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I close my eyes

I have a vision

That life will have mercy upon me

My world is in shadows

I will pray

That one day I will see the light

What will it take?

What is my purpose?

That I shall ask

Kindred spirits whisper

I hear their cry

I know my mission

I will walk through the distant lands

Climb the highest mountain

Endure the deadliest storm with the winds of peril

No, it will not carry me away into a wasteland

I will not fade away into the night

I will stand tall and firm

Nature's evil will make way

Then I will see the light

And when my journey is well fought

All my sins

All my pains

All my sorrows will disappear into the wind

Then I can finally open my eyes

My vision, my dream is now a reality

The wall of shadows will now crumble in silence of my new

Presence

Now, I no longer see the light

I am the light.

- Nickesha Lindsay

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Nature

Bundles of clouds which move slowly up above

And transform into shapes you all would love

Peaking behind one of the clouds

Is the glowing sun that shines so bright

Through the day to give us light

The cool and refreshing breeze

The rushing waves of the deep blue sea

The tall or short gigantic trees

All serve a purpose

Because they are magnificently and incredibly

Entrusted to us by thee.

- Junet Stevens

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Everywhere

Rain falling, washing traces of tears away

Can you feel me?

I am a morning shower

Beginning of spring

Whenever you feel raindrops

I am touching you

A sunshine's glow kissing your face

Sending warmth your way

The raindrops a promise

Of all the ways I love you

In varying colours of my heart

The azure sky

Lush, green grass

Golden sunshine

Blood flowing through your veins

Can you see me?

Feel me touching you?

I am in you

With you

Everywhere.

- Kimika Prawl