The Stranger With Your Name

May 22nd, 2025

I saw your name on the profile
In October’s midnight hours
Then the pictures weren’t of you
But your name still had powers
I decided to swipe right
I saw no harm in that decision
Then I froze in place
Like my heart took an incision
It wasn’t because it matched
We did but I didn’t engage
It’s what I couldn’t believe
On the very next page
There you were
Your photos and name
Even after two years
Your profile still looked the same
I sat in my feelings
The emotional weight
From your name to you
Like some twist of fate
I took another chance
As I slid your photo right
And froze to the statement
That triggered fight or flight
It said it’s a match
Two profiles back to back
Again holding off on messaging
And feeling the draw back
Something new
And something old
Feeling the weight
Of the decision I hold
Looking back at that night 
Now that my heart’s out of danger
Wondering why I never messaged
The other stranger

Just A Dream?

July 7th, 2024

The last few nights
Filled with weird dreams
Replaying in my mind
What do they mean
Living in a new place
With people peaking in
Risking the same issues
How do I win
Being drugged by a stranger
There’s always that risk
But dragged to an alternate reality
Do those even exist?
But then I’m working in retail
And I’m collecting sea shells
No idea where they came from
Are these layers of hell?
Then I’m dragged to an event
With decoys of me
So no one can save me
Trapped in this reality
Then the next night again
A strange occupation
Arresting the last person I loved
Now what was this causation
With a parting kiss
I’m back at an old workplace
Some people shouldn’t be there
But I didn’t solve that case
Someone stood up for me
While one questioned my skills
Behavior like this
Had me running for the hills
And it just kept going
Because I’m in a classroom
My friend’s son is arguing
About someone who transferred too soon
Was this all connected
Was there any meaning
I’m looking for significance
But I was only dreaming

Collaged

March 24th, 2024

If there ever comes a day
That you don’t know me
Just know this about me
There’s always something I keep
The memories live on
I cherish moments of the past
Even in the relationships
That weren’t meant to last
Movies, places, recipes
You’ve left your mark on me
What a beautiful thing
I become a piece of everyone I meet