Pirate

Posted in poetry by

She said she was a pirate 

That she stole to live

That she stole golden treasures

That called her in the wind 

She said she stole hearts

Before she tucked them into bed

That she never stayed in one place too long 

But in my head,

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She was the Captain.

I could follow her all day 

I’d hold the fort down on my island

While she sailed out wreaking disarray 

I’d burn a fire in the night

Lure her back in with the sight 

Of a place to keep her warm

And taste the ocean at first light.

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A little flame for an anchor

It wouldn’t hold her back

I could still see the way the stars shined

Differently over her head 

Her fingers danced around the flame 

While she looked me in the eyes

Then she sealed it with a kiss 

And she was gone, out like a light.

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I woke up the next day

Tasting sand on my tongue 

She was nowhere to be found

So my hands got to work.

By the time sunset came,

I’d built a fire burning bright 

But she never came to my island

Her ship was nowhere in sight.

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I pleaded with the stars

I made deals with sting rays

I waited with patience

But she never came my way.

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I sent a message in a bottle 

And when I got one back

She’d written,

“Sunshine, I’m a pirate, what did you expect?”

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I shattered the bottle

On my island I stayed 

For three nights I cried

Ocean please take me away

A black bird cawed loudly

Said to get out of my head

For three more nights I just

Kept weeping instead.

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Until I saw her in the distance

One fateful day

She’d raised her flag up for me 

As if to say,

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‘I haven’t forgotten,

But I still won’t come near.

You belong on that perfect island

And I belong out here.’

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Every so often 

I still see her flag 

A greeting in the distance

Before it goes chasing the wind.

She said I’ll find someone better,

Someone built for land.

But all I really wanted

Was for a pirate to take my hand.

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But I lit a fire

A fire just for me

I wasn’t her treasure

Just a girl

She kissed once

By the sea. 

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-AL 🖤

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Here’s To You

Posted in poetry by

Here’s to You

Who has made it this far

Who has gotten through 100% of your toughest days

Who has dreamed and tried and cried 

Felt your heartbeat in the moments you were in awe

For the beauty in this life

Here’s to You

Who is one of the beautiful things

Who has scraped their knee

Trying to climb the mountain

But keeps going

Keeps growing

Keeps climbing

Here’s to You

I’m glad you made it

The night is long and sometimes cold

But hold my hand

We’ll look at the stars together

See how they shine

For You.

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-AL ❤

Creative Writing Prompt for Autumn: Write a letter to honor the dead

Posted in creative writing by

With October being just a week away, I am already thinking about Samhain, the “Witches New Year” that is often dedicated to honoring the dead and one’s ancestors. Writing can be a really wonderful way to celebrate those who have passed on, while also being a cathartic way to process grief. Maybe there is someone who you would like to honor around this time of year. Or maybe you would like to reflect on your ancestry and how past generations have helped to guide the path you are currently on. Writing a letter, poem, story, or diary entry can be a healing way to express your feelings, thoughts, questions and hopes. Happy Writing 🖤 -AL

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#creativewriting #writingprompts

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Southern Bluefin Tuna

Posted in Art, Wildlife Conservation by

When I think about wildlife conservation, overfishing is an issue that jumps to the forefront of my mind. The ocean offers us rich resources and fish are an essential and in-demand part of economies around the globe. But when we overdo it, when too many fish are pulled from the waters, this depletes the biodiversity of the oceans many of us love and rely on so much, putting once-flourishing species at risk of extinction. Governments in many countries have taken some action to help conservation efforts for the Southern bluefin tuna, along with other endangered or at-risk tuna and other fish species. Catch limits have been enforced in Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. Fishing activity is monitored and some tuna species have begun to increase in numbers again. The Southern bluefin tuna is still endangered, however.

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-AL

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take me away into the river

Posted in poetry by

take me away into the river

gentle caress, sweet kisses

under the stars, in your arms

a reality swimming with you

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I wasn’t made for the mountains

take me to a place made of dreams

color, fluorescent fantasies bloom

and I tell you how much I want you

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no holding back, not tonight

I will stain your skin with pink kisses

trace your tattoos with trembling fingers

I’ll love you with the ocean’s gentle rage.

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-AL ❤

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