Featured Poet - Donna Crossno

SHADOWS OF TRUST

In a world where bonds feel frail, 

Trust slips through like whispers pale. 

With walls built high to guard my heart, 

I fear the pain that comes with part.

No family ties to anchor me,   

Just echoes of what used to be.   

Friends fade away like morning mis,t- 

Connections lost in shadows kissed.

Each glance feels heavy; every word weighs down, 

A fragile dance on shaky ground.   

The longing for warmth is bittersweet-   

Yet doubt creeps in and claims its seat.

What if they leave? What if I fall? 

These questions haunt within these walls.   

But deep inside there’s hope still glows:     

That love can bloom from seeds we sow.

So here I stand amidst the strife-     

Learning trust is part of life.     

Though loneliness may cast its spell,

I'll seek connection; I'll break this shell.

For even when I'm feeling small,     

There lies a strength beyond it all!       

Through trials faced and bridges burned-     

New paths await as lessons learned.

WARRIOR OF THE SOUL

In the depths where shadows dwell,

A warrior rises, fierce and unyielding.

Bearing burdens unseen by many eyes,

They navigate a world fraught with storms.

ADHD whispers chaos in their mind,

An ever-turning carousel of thoughts.

PTSD echoes memories that haunt their dreams,

An endless reel playing scenes of pain.

Panic disorder grips them in its icy hold-

Each breath a battle against rising tides of fear. 

Anxiety weaves its web around their heart,

A constant companion in moments both big and small.

BPD casts waves upon an already tumultuous sea

Emotions crashing like thunder against rocky shores.

Depression cloaks them in its heavy shroud-

A weight that seems too much to bear at times. 

Yet through it all, they stand resilient:

Courageous souls amidst life's tempests.

Each day is a battle; each breath a victory won;

Their journey marked by strength beyond measure. 

For within these struggles lies unwavering resolve-

The spirit of one who refuses to be defined solely by strife

So here is to those warriors brave and bold- 

To hearts that beat despite what they hold!

Through every trial faced, may hope arise: 

Guiding light amid darkened skies

WAVES OF EMOTION: GROWING UP WITH BPD

In childhood's innocence, I roamed,

Unaware of the seeds that were sown.

Emotions raw, a turbulent sea-

BPD whispered softly to me.

Misunderstood by those around,

I felt like an island unbound.

Tears flowed freely in solitude’s embrace;

A fragile heart seeking solace and grace.

As years passed by into adulthood's hold,

The echoes of youth remained untold.

Struggles deepened with each passing day-

BPD casting shadows along my way.

Relationships strained under unseen weight,

Trust shattered beneath fear’s cruel gate.

Yet through the darkness, a light did shine:

Resilience growing amidst life’s design.

Learning to navigate this complex terrain,

Finding strength within moments of pain.

Childhood dreams meet adult fears; 

But hope still lingers despite the tears. 

Through trials faced and battles won, 

A journey unfolds as we learn to run. 

From childhood scars to adult strife:   

We rise above with newfound life.

THE ROLLERCOASTER OF SOLITUDE

Strapped in tight on this wild ride, 

Emotions twist like a rising tide. 

Up and down, the feelings sway-

A dizzy dance that won’t obey.

Isolation wraps its heavy chain, 

In silence echoes all my pain.   

Yet through each loop I learn to cope;   

Amidst despair there flickers hope.

With every drop comes fear’s embrace, 

But strength emerges from this place.   

I search for light within the dark-   

Each heartbeat whispers: “You’ll leave your mark.”

Though days may blur with shadows cast,   

I'll find my footing firm at last.     

For even when I'm far apart,

Resilience blooms inside my heart.

So here is to rides both fierce and bold-     

To stories waiting still untold!     

Through ups and downs I'll stand up tall:     

Finding courage after every fall.

WHISPERS OF HEALING

In shadows deep where silence dwells, 

A heart once fractured softly swells. 

With every tear that falls like rain, 

I gather strength from all the pain.

The storms may rage within my mind, 

Yet in their wake, new paths I find. 

Each breath a step toward brighter days, 

As hope ignites and gently plays.

Through tangled thoughts and swirling fears,   

I learn to dance with all my tears.   

For healing blooms in tender light-   

A journey forged through darkest night.

Embrace the chaos; let it flow; 

Within its depths true courage grows. 

With love as balm for wounds unseen,

I'll stitch together what has been.

So here is to hearts both brave and bold-

To stories whispered yet untold!   

Together we’ll rise above despair:   

Healing our souls with gentle care.

ECHOES OF THE DARKEST DAYS

In shadows thick where silence screams, 

The heart feels lost within its dreams. 

A tempest brews beneath my skin, 

As chaos whispers deep within.

Each thought a wave that crashes hard, 

With jagged edges leaving scars.   

Emotions swirl like autumn leaves-   

I grasp for peace but find it grieves.

On days when light seems far away, 

And hope is just a word to say;   

The mirror shows a fractured face-   

Reflections haunt this empty space.

Yet in these depths I search and seek, 

For strength resides in moments weak.   

Though darkness wraps me tight as night,   

I'll fight to glimpse tomorrow's light.

So here is to battles fought alone-   

To fragile hearts that feel unknown!     

Through every storm I'll learn anew:     

That even pain can lead us through.