I admired him. He was so handsome, so sure, and so wise. With knowing hands and steady eyes. A man of faith, or so he proclaimed, With past mistakes that once were tamed.
He taught me well, and so I thought, This is a life of balance, with lessons sought. With careful acts, he shaped my view, Of food, of health, of something new.
But shadows lurked behind his smile, Secrets buried all the while. A fragile peace, a past denied, A soul still lost, although dignified.
His faith with words was a hollow sound, His truth was buried, hidden underground. I closed my eyes to all the signs, And mistook his chains for healing lines.
Twelve years of love and silent fears, I bore his daughter and sons while drying my tears. Four children were born, yet still I'm alone, His heart was gone, and his purpose had flown.
He spoke of legacies and of men, Of wisdom passed from now to then. But soon the pull was far too strong, His demons whispered to him alone.
In and out behind cold steel bars, Chasing habits and hiding scars. A single man in spirit free, Yet bound in chains, he could not see.
And so he left, leaving us behind. To stitch the wounds and to heal the mind. I learned the weight of empty space, And found my strength in his disgrace.
He was sweet, so kind, and so sure. He treated me like a queen, and so pure. But his love turned tight, a cage, a chain, His grasp was too firm, his heart full of pain.
No space to breathe, no room to just be. His eyes were locked, his arms like a key. I thought that love could mend his scars, But healing can't be wished upon stars.
The signs were there, but I closed my eyes. Ignored the whispers and swallowed the lies. Until hands reached out where they should have not, And the fire burned where love forgot.
My children stood by as my heart went wild. No man will ever touch my child. The thread that held us became thin and frail, It finally snapped into a broken tale.
I had to go, but where and how? With no one there to guide me now. My family was absent, cold, and aloof, So, Spirit led me toward the truth.
And then, just weeks from being torn apart, My world collapsed, my shattered heart. My daughter is gone; a cruel twist, A loss too deep, too sharp to list.
But there he stood, no anger now. No chains, no grasp, just a furrowed brow. The only hands to hold me tight, The only voice in an endless night.
He had his wounds, his demons deep. A past that made his love run steep. But in my grief, he chose to stay, When all the rest had turned away.
For that, I love him through and through. For stepping in when no one knew. Though fate was not meant to keep us one, God sent him to me when the darkness had begun.
My life turned again, towards a quiet man who stood, Scarred by trials, yet strong where he could. He trusted me, though we'd just begun, His soul was familiar; a light, a Sun.
Calm and steady, a different tone, Not the chaos I'd always known. This time, I waited and let time decide. No rush, no chains, just space to confide.
Friendship first, no love too soon, Just healing nights beneath the moon. Let fate have plans, a path to trace, A home, a bond, a sacred space.
No smoke, no drink, no hidden lies, Only a steady love beneath clear skies. But sickness lurked, a silent thread, The Cancer grew louder, its hunger fed.
I stood beside him, strong adn unbowed, Through doctor's rooms and waiting crowds. Gave my strength, my time adn my care, A love that bore his cross to bear.
Six years passed, a remission's breath, A life reclaimed from nearing death. But betrayal whispered, cold and sly, He slipped away, no word, no why.
No calls, no notes,just legal lines. A ghost who left no warning signs. A weddin photo sealed the fate, A love discarded, washed by hate.
Left alone to start once more, To find my worth, my inner core. I prayed, I sought, I turned within, To let the healing work begin.
The dream was lost, but faith remained, My power is mine, my soul unchained. For women, for children, and for those who ache, I write these words- rise, rebuild, and awake!
My heart is full of love overflowing. I release the past, no longer holding. Dead energy drifts like autumn leaves, Gone with the wind, I let it breathe.
Creativity now fills my space. A sacred touch, a soft embrace. I once stayed where love was hollow, No intimacy; just time to borrow.
Awakening stirs within my soul, No more shrinking. I'll be made whole. I choose myself, my joy, and my grace, Healing wounds time can't erase.
What must I do to rise and to grow? To face the towers, I do not know. For all my life, I was told and restrained, Bound in whispers, caged in chains.
As a child, I longed for warmth and light. But love hit sharp, like a thief in the night. Bruises fade, but the scars remain, A servant's role, a life of pain.
She gave to others and none to me. And now she's gone. Still, I'm not free. No words exchanged, no wrongs made right, She left me searching in the night.
But I won't return to chains of old, To codependency, harsh and cold. Instead, I turn within to unearth The love I longed for had denied my worth.
Who am I now? Where will I go? A thousand dreams, yet none that glow. I stand in stillness, soft and unsure, Yet something whispers, there is more!
Distance keeps us longing for love. To lose it, is another sad song. Those slow words express the thoughts in my head, Staying beneath the laughter, I hide instead.
I fake a smile that betrays my heart. How much I miss you. Faking strength to be smart. My love for you, Although it seems new, it is not!
I wish to know the hour of the day, I shall see you again, And if you may. Kiss and hug my desires away.
Passion burns for our souls to reunite. I fight and fight the urge to reach out to you, To say my peace. What am I to do? Okay, I'll create something new.
Pour my feelings into my art, words, or scenes. Perhaps realize my forgotten dreams. No distance can keep me away from you, I wait and wait for my love to come true!
I am a magnet. I pull, and I release. Drawing in souls, then finding my peace. A dance of forces, both fierce and kind, Masculine and feminine, perfectly aligned.
I greet the world with power and grace. Seen and known in every space. I stand in the truth, with my heart beating clear. Genuine love is always near.
I heal myself, I fill my cup. Overflowing light lifts others up. A radiant spark; a memory bright, I shine with love, a guiding light.
The love of God is always free. A gift of grace for you and me. I walk with courage bold and true, Unashamed of my different view.
Worthy enough, I claim my name. Building my life with spiritual flame. I seek the clues, I break the chains. A soul unbound from hidden pains.
With wisdom sharp, I find my way. Turning the night into a brighter day. Magnetically, I rise and stand, With a force of love, a heart in hand.
I am a senior woman—a Black woman, single and retired—who found herself alone in a small city in the northwest, far from friends and family. For three weeks, I embraced homelessness as a temporary inconvenience, driven by a calling to serve and mentor elementary school children through an AmeriCorps opportunity with the Napa County school system. My purpose in sharing this story is to show how we care for one another, how we embody the Church of God that Jesus spoke about, and how little we truly understand the reason why we are here. I want to reveal my experience to teach others about a side of humanity that is often overlooked and vulnerable, to highlight our relationship to nature and others, and to celebrate self-care, self-love, and self-sufficiency in solitude. Above all, I want to share the truth I lived in those three weeks—the truth of God’s love.
The town was small, nestled in the northwest, and autumn had painted the landscape in shades of gold and crimson. Each day, temperatures ranged from 45 to 70 degrees, growing colder at night, with fog and rain often settling over the city. I was homeless, sleeping in my vehicle, relying on food pantries, food banks, and a drop-in center for homeless women and children to meet my basic needs. The environment was unfamiliar and sometimes harsh, but it was also a place of quiet beauty and reflection.
Some of my most meaningful moments were spent in nature at Howarth Park, with its beautiful lake and abundant bird wildlife. Hiking the paths, I found wonder in solitude, feeling connected to the world in a way that only quiet reflection can bring. My daily diet was simple: water, coffee, apples, and bananas. The YMCA became a place for community involvement, exercise, and showers—a small sanctuary in an otherwise uncertain routine.
One night, while parked at a church lot, a light shone in my face, and I was asked, “Are you supposed to be here?” I refused to go to a homeless shelter, choosing instead to keep myself safe in my vehicle. Safety, food, and meeting my basic needs were daily challenges, but I learned to rely on myself and to introspect on what skills I had that could assist my situation.
I witnessed moments that revealed the truth about human nature. I saw a woman sitting on the ground in front of a 7-Eleven store with her dog. A man drove up and gave her one small Milk Bone for the dog—just that, and nothing more.
Meanwhile, expensive vehicles: Teslas, Land Rovers, Mercedes, and BMWs raced along the roads, a stark contrast to the struggles of those living on the margins. People seemed to place their value in material things, not in people.
I observed smiling protestors marching with signs that read “No Kings.” Many churches offered weekly hot meals and nightly AA meetings, but I saw members exit and smoke marijuana afterwards while gossiping, ignoring the truth they saw every day.
During those long hours in my vehicle, I discovered creative ways to stay occupied and maintain a sense of connection. My phone and tablet became lifelines to the outside world. I spent time scrolling through YouTube, watching videos, reading emails, and browsing Instagram and Facebook. These digital routines helped me stay informed and entertained, offering a comforting rhythm to my days.
Practical challenges were ever-present, especially finding ways to keep my devices charged. The local library became a daily refuge—not only for its welcoming atmosphere, but also for its charging stations. I often relied on a charger overnight to ensure my phone and tablet were ready for the next day’s needs. These small acts of self-care provided a sense of normalcy and control, even in uncertain circumstances.
Occasionally, I made phone calls to family—not out of desperation, but as a way to share updates and maintain bonds. These conversations were intentional, a reminder that I was never truly alone, even in solitude. Through these routines, I found balance: staying connected to others while also embracing the quiet strength of self-reliance.
I learned that self-reliance is essential, and that introspection can reveal strengths we didn’t know we had. I discovered that most people offer cordial greetings and smiles to make themselves feel better, but few truly care. I trusted my intuition and focused on resilience and healing, often crying and praying, relying on my relationship with God.
Humans, I realized, are just as vulnerable as animals, but we are less self-sufficient and need each other more than we admit. People are not always honest and may seek recognition or power over others, sometimes delighting in the suffering of others as a point of gossip or laughter.
Yet, in all this, I found that God’s love is constant. In solitude, I learned to care for myself, to love myself, and to find sufficiency in my own company. I saw that our relationship to nature and to others is sacred, and that self-care and self-love are vital, especially when the world feels distant.
Ultimately, the reason for being there—the job I had been offered—never materialized. After three weeks, when the call finally came to say my background check had cleared, it was easy for me to decline the position. I knew that I could return home, where I had a warm place, a safe space, and a family that cared for me. This experience taught me that sometimes, the journey itself is the lesson, and that God’s love and grace are present wherever we go.
I encourage you to look for the vulnerable in your community—not just those who are visibly struggling, but those who may be quietly alone. Offer kindness, a listening ear, or a simple smile. Practice self-care and self-love, knowing that you are worthy of compassion. Remember that in solitude, you can find strength, and in caring for others, you reveal the truth of God’s love.
The truth I lived in those three weeks is simple yet profound: God’s love is present in every moment, in every act of care, in every relationship—with others, with nature, and with ourselves. By embracing vulnerability, practicing self-care, and reaching out to those around us, we become the Church that Jesus envisioned—a community built on love, understanding, and grace.
Trolling the Web, looking for victims To scam money, hope, and love He thought all were the same No one is aware of his game.
Trying to see what he can gain Too little, too late The one he caught was hip for the fame He sought without effort, He thought without blame
Narrowly escaping the daily chats He got frustrated more and more What can I do? Why won’t she do that? Only to feel the suspecting gaps.
When he did, he couldn’t look into her eyes. He looked anxious and they exposed his lies. He thought it couldn’t be! She is not that smart! I’m smarter than she and I will not get caught.
He never thought it was a Sin. God was not real to him. He used it to his advantage, Against them all to win?
With every text, he asked again and again Did you send the fees? Did you receive the Bin? Do it for us. When I come home, you’ll see We’ll get married and happy we’ll be.
She stalled and said, No. It’s no hurry. My priorities are elsewhere, but don’t you worry. When you come home, it’ll still be there. You can pay those fees, since you are so aware.
Of the location and the contents. Why not ask someone else? I’m sure you know a person you can trust Otherwise, why would you send it in the mail for us?
I don’t know you that well, she thought. I suspect it is not legal, and I don’t want to get caught Up in your scheming lies.
My intuition is screaming, “Girl, don’t you do it.” This man isn't telling you the truth. His anger and guilt are all a ruse. It seems to say that he has a game and other plans at play.
Over and over again, he pleads his case. How can he love you so much? So I say, if you can, send me the cash. Then I’ll pay the fees that you so urgently ask.
He agrees to send a check to make But I didn’t know that it would be fake Counterfeit and fraudulent, it would take.
She knew it, and it confirmed what she thought. He swallowed the bait, and now the evidence is in place. Although her account was closed Never did he get the goal he chose.
Be careful of online scammers That pose like lovers Always excusing why they can’t But expecting you to do it over and above.
With lame, phony social media profiles Faking vulnerability but hiding vile narcissistic personalities Behind photos and kids With lies of their jobs, homes, and careers.
Love is too precious to risk at the cost Of losing finances, home, and sanity. No man is worth it if he can’t provide, Up front, the things he asks you to confide.
Walk away, Say No, ghost him if you must! Leave that chat if there is no trust!
