Removing the Stitches

Each piece is pulled out slowly, gently
Cool hands against my bare, torn skin
The broken skin is healed
It has been so long since I've felt whole
I have lived with this injury for so long
Bandages couldn't heal
Antiseptics couldn't relieve
But you could
How is it that a person, another human being, could heal me?
I barely knew you
The magnetism that drew me to you, that continues to draw me
What is this?
After being beaten, bruised, cut, abused
You simply heal me
Without a word, without a question
You heal me
Without a thought, without a reason
You heal me
I am closed at first, scared of you
How can you exist? Where have you been?
You hold out your hand
You pull my broken heart together with the strings of your love
How can I repay you? What could I possibly have to give?
Smile.
Love.
Laugh.
Trust.
Forever.
Without you, I would not be whole.
I would not be healed.
I would not love.
I would not be me.
Thank you.

* For those requiring explanation, this is dedicated to the love of my life, my husband, Josh who is my perfect match and who continues to amaze me with his love. *

Larisa 2009

Pink Polish

I am girly today.
Pink nail polish and a hair color change makes the world better.

I am beautiful today.
Expensive perfume and jewelry accessorize me perfectly.

I am sexy today.
Deep brown eyes and a sly grin bring out my gorgeousness.

I am singing today.
Listening to my voice is a powerful jolt of confidence.

I am strong today.
No one is taking my joy away today. No one.

I am confident today.
Fake people, I can see through you and so can everyone else.

I am original today.
Can't be anyone but myself and no one else can be me.

I am determined today.
Bad memories and haunting ugliness will NOT phase me, break me, kill me, or shatter me.

I am right today.
"They" may try to blame everything on me but "they" can't when it is "their" irresponsibility that causes it. NOT ME.

I am loud today.
I AM WORTH IT, VALUABLE, LOVED, INTELLIGENT, AND NO ONE CAN TAKE IT AWAY ANYMORE.

Larisa 2009

Exhausted

I am empty today.
I have given all my strength away to worrying.
I have nothing left within me.

I am exhausted today.
I have done all I know to do.
I have nothing left I know.

I am down today.
I have lost my happiness for a minute.
I have no more positivity.

I am empty today.
I have to find hope.
I have to find peace.

I am needy today.
I have to lift my head up.
I have to stop crying.

I am exhausted.
I have used everything.
I have been used up.

Larisa 2009

Past Poems I have Authored

Here are two poems I wrote in my senior year of high school. Enjoy!

"She is Me"

As I sit here at my desk

I stare at my mirror

I see a young girl, only 17

Staring back into my eyes

She is a dreamer, a planner, and a learner

Just like me

She has confident brown eyes and unique features

Just like me

She is creative and inspired by music

Just like me

She is a worker, a Christian, a girlfriend, and a daughter

Just like me

She laughs, cries, smiles, and frowns

Just like everyone else

She loves, hopes, wishes, and dreams

Just like everyone else

She has wants and needs, questions and answers

Just like everyone else

She blends in and stands out

Just like everyone else

She is familiar, yet a stranger

She is loud, yet silent

She is different, yet the same

She is strong, yet weak

She is you, yet she is me.

Larisa Childress 2005

“Only You”

You can quench my thirst better than rushing rivers.

You can take me to the sky’s limit because your love is limitless.

Your love shines brighter than a thousand stars.

Your love could fill all the books of time with its passion.

Your love is more beautiful than the evening sunset.

Your love is my absolute truth that no one can deny.

Your love is a harmony that is better than any love song.

Your love is as loud as church bells shouting out the time.

Your love is unspeakable through mere words.

Your love is higher than any mountain peak.

Your love warms me, protects me through winter’s iciest freeze.

You love is perfect like God’s creation.

Your love is musical, proclaiming itself for all to hear.

Your love belongs to me and no one will ever steal it from my heart.

If all these things I have described are proven, then it must be true

My everlasting love must only be fulfilled by

You.

Larisa Childress 2004