Deaf

You’re scared of good things happening

because they always get ripped from you

and you have a devil in your ear telling you

you don’t deserve it. Remind me to kiss the woman

who brought you into this world with deaf ears.

Dark Soil

The lack of security in your heart

keeps your mind on guard for the graveyard shift.

You’ve seen an unkind world close up, right in your own kitchen.

But even the most beautiful flowers are planted in dark soil

so please close your eyes and sleep tonight.

Third Collection Release Date

I’ll be releasing my third poetry collection in a month on July 16th!!

If I’m honest, I let this collection sit for a long time and I could have had it gone 6 months ago. But I’m very happy with the end result and I hope you will be too!

If you’re interested in an eARC, please reach out to me at ddateable@gmail !!

Let me tell you a little about the collection!!

 

Titled: Even the Leaves

Synopsis: Even the Leaves fell for you, so how could you except me not to?

This collection explores how Mother Nature nurtures and shapes us through every part of our lives. This collection expresses relationships with family, partners, and yourself through aspects of nature such flowers and mountains, seasons and months, animals, and bodies of water. Nature is a medium that connects us all. 

 

Length: 67 pages

Release Date: July 22nd

Available on Amazon !

 

WE ARE DIFFERENT BUT ARE WE EQUAL?

You have shaped me.

I am brash to combat your meekness.

Your strength is so quiet 

I sometimes discredit its perseverance.

Mine is hot and loud.

But there are times the flames 

can dwindle so low

I’m not even sure they’re even there.

Even so, I’ve made sure your silence 

will never be in my library of responses.

UNLEASHED TONGUE

I have no qualms about speaking up

when your politeness squeezes your throat.

I will make your voice heard

to those dressing you up with their own ideals.

I may approach a subject as delicate as a bull charging red

but I am on your side even if I do not share your finesse.

MOTHER KNOWS BEST

She’ll never know the young woman 

she could have been if she didn’t 

grow up under your hawk eye criticism.

You talk about her big Italian nose

and her spilled out thighs 

as if that nose didn’t come from you and your mother.

As if her first breathe wasn’t between yours.

THE DUST FLIES IN OKLAHOMA

You come around long enough 

just to let him down

before your tires start spinning again.

After the rubber burning smoke is gone

you still leave him standing here alone again.

The same tail lights have daunted his dreams

Since he was just 5.

He gave up hope long ago 

that you would ever be any father of his.

You give the love you weren’t shown

You’re obnoxious 

Shouting for the attention

Your momma never gave you growing up.

You are not your sisters.

Parenting is not a one size fits all.

You were sensitive and destructive.

So you give out the love you never got

because you never want your love 

to be questioned like your 12 year old thoughts 

The Family You Found

You weren’t close to family by blood

but you found brothers young

who still surround you to this day.

 

You pledged to brotherhood in college

and choose a career where you stand

in a line full of brothers in blue.

 

You’re the most resourceful 

and willful man I know. 

You could let me be your family too.

 

Things I Dream For

I imagine myself at a table

with your friends.

Where you’ve finally let me in

to be approved by the family

built with time and loyalty. 

 

-Oct 2019

 

How to help your partner through tough times

In life, you face a lot of struggle. You might grieve a lost loved one, lose a job, or face a dispute with a friend. Fortunately, you usually have people in your life you can lean on including your partner. Tragedy affects everyone differently so if this is the first time you’re helping your partner through something, you might not know the best way to comfort them.

 

Let Them Know You’re There

There can be a lot of thoughts rushing through their head at this time, they may feel that expressing their feelings are a burden for you or they might be so consumed that they haven’t thought of you to lean on. So you let them know you’re there for them offering support in any way they want or need. You’re ready for when they want to talk. You’re a shoulder and open ear.

 

Read the Room

Some people want to talk out their issues, others prefer to silently work through things on their own. You may think how you’d react during this hard time and may think you know what’s best for your partner. But they may deal with their grief in a different way then you do. Keep an open mind to this and try to not take it personally if they are keep their emotions close to their chest. Don’t project your own ideals onto them and don’t push them for what they’re not ready for.

 

Validate their Feelings

Writing things down on paper or talking out your concerns is a good healing process for the soul. Sometimes you just need to vent or cry or scream – you just want to be heard. So validate your partner’s feelings. There doesn’t always need to be a solution or plan of action. Be a soundboard as they navigate through this new territory.

 

Know it’s always an ongoing process after losing a loved one.

Losing a loved one will hit you in new and unsuspecting ways. A tv show, a street sign, a song could all bring memories rushing back even after time has passed. The loss will still ache whether it’s years or months. Anniversaries and special holidays will always be tender for your partner. There is no start and end to this healing process, it will ease both of your minds to accept this. Just because there are tears today does not mean there will be tears tomorrow, so don’t worry or judge when you’re having a hard day. You will always remember them because they are always with you.

 

The Holidays Can be Hard for Some

The holidays are bright and loud with music and family. For many people, it’s their favorite time of year. In all the celebration we tend to forget those among us who struggle with the holiday season.

 

Lonely

The holidays are all about being surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones. Unfortunately this can sometimes backfire into making us feel lonely instead of part of a larger community. For starters, you may have a small family or have special family members missing this year in the holiday festivities. These parties and gatherings put an emphasis on that emptiness. On the other hand, you may have a large family and are far from alone during this time of year. But you may feel disconnected and that amplifies the feeling of loneliness. You’ll be hard on yourself for feeling lonely when you’re not alone.

 

Solution

Focus on those you do feel connected to in your life. Whether its friends instead of blood relatives or a community on the internet that you truly feel a part of, make sure to spend quality time connecting with these important relationships in your life.

 

Single

During the holiday season, the emphasis on family also puts pressure on you starting your own family which begins by finding a partner. Relatives routinely ask you when you’re going to settle down and find someone nice to bring home and meet the family. You see lots of pictures on social media for friends and family with their significant other and it can make you feel inadequate for not having a partner as well.  

 

Solution

Feel free to handle your nosy relatives however you see fit. Just know that there is no need to rush into a relationship that you don’t want or aren’t ready for. That could lead to ending up with someone that isn’t really right for you and wasting time not being truly happy. A partner may not be a part of the future you envision for yourself and that should be respected as well.

 

Expectations

The holidays are also at the end of the year when most people reflect on the highs and lows of that year. The New Year is also right around the corner and many people set goals and expectations for themselves to achieve. Every part of life can’t be planned and unfortunately most people find themselves behind on their goals. They’re not where they want to be in life and they’re upset that another year has passed without much improvement.

 

Solution

Goals sometimes have to be adjusted so that they can be realistic and reachable. Some people see this a negative thing but setting a small, reachable goal can produce big results. You’ll feel accomplished for reaching this smaller goal and motivated to continue on instead of defeated by missing your original goal. Life may alter your goals completely and that can be devastating. But this new life path can lead to new goals and new victories.