the ruler of the sea castle.

most of the time, anyway.

controls the thoughts of the others.

what was said?

 

always awake.

duties never stop.

a King never sleeps.

life does not stop.

 

the counter to the King.

previously too cold.

found the warmth in heat.

returned to the trench of chill.

 

the Queen is constantly swimming.

upward.

striving for warmth forever.

and always.

 

needing that voice.

to be heard.

over the King.

be a partnership.

 

also, within these walls.

is the… Joker.

the one that is.

all over the place.

 

never stable.

showing off.

flips and tricks.

forever an appetite.

 

affected by the King.

way too often.

recovery.

takes too long.

 

protector of the sea castle.

stands the Governor.

defender of the walls.

who can enter?

 

who can even see in?

walls are deteriorating.

the King needs you.

do the others?

 

who casts that shadow?

where did they come from?

there’s a Masked Knight in the sea castle.

using a shell to cover their face.

 

usually a welcoming castle.

but not for you.

should not be here.

banishment.

 

take the shell off.

reveal.

leave it outside the walls.

never return.

 

who’s that smiling?

a shimmer in those eyes.

causing a wake.

under the water.

 

Prince A has arrived.

he never left.

sometimes hidden.

other times center of attention.

 

waiting for a response.

from the King.

or Queen.

wanting more.

 

who is the other?

a glimmer of home.

could it be?

it is… Prince V.

 

usually behind the Governor.

taking “lessons.”

forever wanted by the Queen.

to take on the ocean.

 

finding his voice.

little by little.

when it happens.

look out world.

 

there’s an intruder.

unwanted.

wearing the face of a great white.

the Hooded Knight.

 

you sneaked in the sea castle.

the Governor did his best.

the King hates you.

the Queen goes cold.

 

the Prince’s run away.

the Joker performs his best tricks.

the Masked Knight panics.

what is there to do?

 

no one speaks of you.

the sea castle has no proof of you.

we know you are there.

if only we could exile you.

 

work together.

working against.

is there resolution?

can it be found?

 

where is the Trident?

it’s within the sea castle.

who can find it?

will it solve everything?

 

the sea castle.

it has imperfections.

but if all work.

together.

 

the Trident can be found.

and the dysfunction.

of the sea castle.

will be no more.

where did you come from?

a surprise.

i find myself infatuated.

i absolutely love spending time with you.

 

went to the event that day to make new friends.

park filled with people.

we’re introduced.

instant chemistry.

 

i’ll never look at chex mex the same.

only you will understand that.

conversation continued that night.

obvious flirting.

 

we continue getting to know each other.

we hang out more.

is there something there?

i still can’t tell.

 

i find myself trying to impress you.

are my walls falling down around you?

break them down.

i’ll let you.

 

i’m used to giving maybe 80%.

i’ve got broken pieces.

i’m repairing.

i’ll give you 100%.

 

your walls are still up.

there’s pain.

you’ve been hurt.

i can help.

 

how fast is too fast.

i’ll be patient.

just in unchartered territory.

you give me butterflies.

 

“Out of the doubt that fills my mind. I somehow find. You and I collide.” – Howie Day

i can’t believe how long it took me.

to realize.

i have been blind.

i owe so much to you.

 

you gave me my soul.

not by birth.

by inspiration.

i never noticed it before.

 

with my art.

and teaching me how to draw.

with my writing.

encouraging me at a young age.

 

with my passion for music.

always playing the piano.

with my love for reading.

when did you not have a book in your hand?

 

i’m sorry it took so long.

all of my creativity.

has been a foundation.

that you built.

 

you’ve handed me the tools.

to craft myself.

from clay to stone and back.

forever changing.

“what is bad for the heart is good for art. the terrible irony of our lives as artists.”
– Guillermo Garcia

i spent months writing.

two letters.

similar but different.

when would i send?

 

there’s no right time.

rip the band-aid off.

just do it.

sent.

 

welcome to my secret.

holding my breath.

letting you in.

vulnerable.

 

the waiting game.

one response immediate.

exactly what i was expecting.

nothing like i was hoping.

 

our course has now changed.

the wind in our sails.

forever different.

a new horizon.

 

i blame ignorance.

penny for your thoughts?

should someone else share.

i hope you react different.

 

where’s the relief?

i heard so much about it.

i was expecting it.

i feel numb.

 

it is what it is.

accept it.

or don’t.

i’ll move on either way.

 

second response.

hours later.

5 to be exact.

[im]patiently waiting.

 

i said take your time.

i’m pacing.

my stomach churning.

only half the party tunes in.

 

we talk for almost an hour.

it goes exceptionally well.

that relief is coming.

i can feel it.

 

tears are shed.

laughs are had.

new information is heard.

a greater bond.

 

weathered this storm before.

i’ll survive it again.

i’ve got my ship.

with the crew i need.

no one wants to be alone.

i’ve just gotten used to it.

i’m seeking you.

craving your scent.

 

it’s almost unbearable.

i want to drown in your sea.

breathe me in.

sink into me.

 

i feel you.

primal.

i long for it.

swimming in your eyes.

 

i wonder if i’ve already met you.

come back to me, if so.

joy and pain.

all of my senses.

 

longing for you.

kiss me at midnight.

wake up with you.

inscribe your name in my soul.

 

crash into me.

be my favorite color.

lets light up life.

dance in the rain.

 

happily ever after.

is it forecasted?

lets write this story.

and weather it all.

 

“I will take the bullet. You can sign your name on my heart. You pull me in and you love me deeper than the ocean. Your name’s written in my scar.” – Shireen Cutkelvin

 

you broke me.

like a shark ripping through a seal.

a twig in a hurricane.

shattered.

 

i was new.

i was looking for friends.

& acceptance.

i was naïve.

 

it’s a day i’ll never get back.

what i’d do or trade to do so.

i think about it everyday.

i can’t go back though.

 

dirty.

shame.

like a hangover.

when would the sickness leave?

 

hindsight is always 20/20.

i missed all of the signs.

i still feel stupid.

i have to move forward.

 

i dealt with it on my own.

for almost a year.

i confided in friends.

that helped.

 

i moved away.

new city.

new beginning.

start over.

 

you were relentless.

texts, emails…

never giving up.

i never responded.

 

just go away.

i fear i’ll run into you.

i fear i’ll see you somewhere.

i want to forget you.

 

everyone after you will pay for it.

i hate that.

i don’t want that.

i’m trying to shake that.

 

i’ve created fight songs.

i’m riding out the wave.

i still have more to do.

i still have more to give.

 

you broke me.

i’m putting the pieces back together.

the new sand castle has imperfections.

but it’ll be the right build for someone.

 

I will not be broken.

“When people build up walls, they end up keeping other people out… but they’re also keeping themselves in.” – Karamo Brown

we first saw each other in class.

intro to logic.

that night i had a friend request from you.

kept that joy internalized for years.

 

nothing happens.

who are we?

what would we talk about?

all i know is your name.

 

the next year you live across the street.

we become bolder.

texting isn’t rare but not everyday.

i love it when i see your name on the screen.

 

one night i have confidence.

after many drinks i come over.

we make bloody mary’s.

we talk books until 4am.

 

i move away.

communication continues.

i move back.

communication stops.

 

we chat here and there.

one night i see you out.

i decide to go for it.

i leave my friends and stay with you.

 

we go to a new place.

i lose you in the crowd.

you find me.

we leave. Together.

 

aside from kissing, nothing further happens.

that’s all I needed.

we wake up together.

i love it.

 

i remember everything about that morning.

 

we get out of bed.

you hide the roommate’s cat.

i’m allergic.

so thoughtful.

 

you make me breakfast.

bagel with cream cheese.

scrambled eggs.

a green smoothie & fresh pineapple.

 

you take me home.

i’m glowing.

i see you out that night.

i keep it short and distant.

 

why am I embarrassed?

i want this.

i’ve always wanted this.

i’m not ready for this.

 

that was it.

 

you went on a new adventure.

i went on my own.

i donate to your charities annually.

i think of you often.

 

i deleted you from social media.

it’s hard to see your face.

i want to know what could have happened.

do you remember? any of this?

 

recalling your body and voice.

you’re still perfect.

any of this sound familiar?

now or never.

 

“isn’t it a tragic thing. when you can see it so clearly but the other person doesn’t.” – rupi kaur