The Image
Isolated Flower
Natalie Gallegos
I sought after my own “Once Upon a Time” story,
but little did I know it would leave me feeling lonely.
I devalued myself for some cheap recognition that became dilatory,
and my pathetic acting mastered taking pity only.
I’ve turned away from shallow cliques around me
as my timid strings didn’t attach with their weak strands.
Life was tangled into a knot when the last ounce of hope left me.
My lonesome soul desired a sincere friend at hand.
My weary spirit is heavily bruised and thornily barricaded.
Now the enemy is pounding on my door saying, “How lovely”.
The fragile flame flickering in my heart had faded,
and the weight of despair overwhelmingly stood above me.
I've won the sad jackpot of becoming a despondent social drifter.
Wandering alone with a mind filled with paralytic static as fear grew.
My self-aching isolation was interrupted by a soft whisper.
The grim atmosphere changed with His tender words, “I am with you”.
The Author of my existence drew close as He intended.
The painful memories tormenting my heart have finally passed.
The bitter taste of rejection and mistrust has ended
as He gently healed my scars from my desolate past.
Once upon a time, I was an isolated flower.
My gardener picked me up because I needed looking after.
I was wilted until He poured His love like a rain shower.
Finally, I have found my ultimate happily ever after!
Deceptive Emotions
Natalie Gallegos
​Mirror, mirror on the wall,
who's the most selfish of them all?
I ran away from God by choosing my emotions at hand.
They told me they knew me better than Him and took command.
Recklessly I was dancing on a tower of self-made lies,
unconsciously they became the ultimate puppeteer.
I solely relied on the strings that gave me life as a compromise,
pursuing my generation’s way of coping with hurt as the new frontier.
Had full self-centered therapy sessions at night until the sun returned.
Overly obsessed with my violent storm rather than reaching for the shore.
Blinded by rage as my mistakes never turn into lessons learned.
So desperate to fill the void that my soul now bore.
What a heavy price to pay when I let my feelings get in the way.
So manipulative when I looked for God to validate my state of mind.
I turned what could’ve been beautiful into a self-sabotaged slay.
Oh, what a foolish mastermind!
I’ve denied God shamelessly, not once, but multiple times like Peter.
Yet, my heart was still so infatuated with Him like David.
I must have cried out to Him at least a thousand times,
but He’s done the same for me my whole entire life.
Tethered heart of mine, why won’t you confess your so-called crimes?
Unravel yourself for Him to meddle with all that bitter strife.
Even when I felt like a villain, I wanted the hero to win.
Swallowing my pride in surrender to Him, I sprang.
Acknowledging that all along acceptance was who He had been,
no words were spoken as I let Him hear the words my tears sang.
Mirror, mirror on the wall,
who’s the most loved one of all?
I finally see myself as He does,
I am wonderfully made and all His!