Poem Title: Self- Respect
As the walls bear witness, I undress,
Nowhere to go, no one to see—simply just me.
As the walls watch I dress,
Dressing not to impress, but simply to dress.
There is no guest to impress,
Yet, a new shirt and pants are to be worn.
Buttons will fasten against my skin and zippers will hum good morning.
They both promise me of the day ahead.
Shoes tied proudly and fabric form, I dress.
Once again with no one here,
I put on new clothes and start the day.
Why? For With these new clothes I adorn a suit of armor.
Yet, unlike the knights there is no battle, but the one I fight against myself.
These clothes are my armour getting me through the day.
My reminder to stay awake.
With the walls as my witness I pick a new outfit each day.
A simple reminder; its just me and the day.
Practice becoming me, in these clothes.
Just me and the walls with dignity as my second skin.
Repeat, Repeat, Repeat - Draft
I remember a young dog,
I remember a young dog that sat with me on the way to school.
I remember a young dog that would paw at my knee.
I remember a young dog lying with me.
I remember a young dog whose bark brought laughter.
But then I remember the dog that couldn't go up the stairs.
I remember the dog I found, half-dead, by a fence.
I remember a tired dog that took her last breath in my arms.
I remember her licking me,
I remember her glassy eyes staring at me, full of trust.
I remember a needle,
And then I remember her going limp.
I remember that young dog no more.
I remember a doctor.
I remember a doctor telling us that "young" dog wouldn't make it.
I remember spending Christmas alone, without a dog.
I remember days of silence in my house.
I remember myself alone on my way to school.
I remember thinking back to a time,
I remember thinking of a happy memory.
But now, a happy memory with that young dog is all but sad.
