Liliana Embrescia

Grade: 11

Laurel School

Instructor(s): Faina Polt, Kate Web

Dear Weather: A Villanelle

Poetry

Dear Weather: A Villanelle

Dear weather, I am disappointed in you.
You caused a mood that was dreary and gray,
So you and I, we are through.

I glanced outside only to find hail pummeling the window;
The sun was supposed to come out without delay.
Dear weather, I am disappointed in you.

On these Mondays the sky should be bright and blue,
Yet this was not the case; it left me in disarray.
So you and I, we are through.

You, weather, how cruel of you to cause distress.
Such a depressing circumstance you brought about today!
Dear weather, I am disappointed in you.

The colorful autumn in you, weather, was screwed,
Denying the leaves a chance to flourish as a wonderful display,
So you and autumn are now through.

These relationships you ruined with hail,
I cannot advise you on how to make them okay.
Dear weather, I am disappointed in you.
So you and I, we are through.

Bittersweet

Poetry

Bittersweet

The sun is bright and bold today,
Not a cloud marring the deep blue sky.
The air warms and tickles my skin,
The grass swaying in the light breeze,
Reminding me of the last time I saw you.
Completely unaware and naïve,
We had laughed as we fooled around
Excited for the days ahead.
Who would have guessed that
I'd never have the chance to see your smile,
Roast marshmallows and joke,
Or look up at you with delight once more.

The sun is bright and bold today,
Not a cloud marring the deep blue sky.
The air warms and tickles my skin,
The grass swaying in the light breeze.
Now I stare into the fire, here once again,
Thinking of the last time I saw you.
I never imagined such a wonderful day
Could shape these heavy thoughts.
Who would have guessed that
I'd be here once more,
Surrounded by friends and content,
Yet lacking one crucial piece: your presence.

As I watch the flames
Shifting to resemble your face,
My mind drifts into the endless space
Comprised of fond memories.
Although the mood is somber,
I reminisce on those happier times.
Memories.
I am unaware if they were for better or worse,
So I choose to call them bittersweet.

All The Tears I Cannot Cry

Poetry

All The Tears I Cannot Cry

It's been awhile, I suppose
Never long enough.
My mind is still denying it;
I'm confused and scared.
So please don't tell me I'm
Merely stressed, when
That's clearly not the case,
Or that I simply need sleep -
The dreams are almost worse
Than staying awake.
Either way I can't escape
From those painful thoughts
That leave me with no tears
Left to cry, until one day
My eyes stay empty,
So as the barrage of agony
Continues, I seem fine.

Don't tell me lies
When you know nothing, ignorant
To the things I've experienced
Of which you can only pray
Never befall you, leaving you
So many tears you cannot cry.

What if one day it were I
Who went to bed,
Only to have my eyes
Permanently close?
I'm sure you'd remember me,
But what of those who don't?
Who might ignore my life
And the hold it had on you?
If everyone you met
Couldn't bear to hear
How you lost someone you loved
And they're not coming back,
You'd know why I don't trust
Simply anyone to listen
That's why I hide myself behind
Curtains of silky untruths
With all my unshed tears.

So don't tell me lies
When you know nothing, ignorant
To the things I've experienced
If you lose such as I did,
You'd know why there are
So many tears I cannot cry.