A PEN for TWO

  FORGET NOT TO COUNT (VILLANELLE) Let not your troubles cause you to fret. Even with the sky falling, and the world in a reel, Count your blessings; do not forget. Your days might have been dark from the onset, With you not knowing what tomorrow might reveal;  Let not your troubles cause you to fret. Blessings like your life, and the love of a pet; Because hope only exists with life as its meal, Count your blessings; do not forget. One child is ill and you're wading in debt, Your nightmares of bankruptcy becoming real; Let not your troubles cause you to fret. Be heartened by the little you have in your net. In crisis, in pains, no matter the ordeal, Count your blessings; do not forget. Through life's billows, with death as a threat, Keep up those hopes and don't lose your zeal. Let not your troubles cause you to fret, Count your blessings; do not forget. ©T.F.C.

  CUTE TREASURE Before her arrival, We worry for mommy's survival; Her screams and promises, Doctors and nurses as witnesses As she vowed to abstain. Her face contorted in pain, The tears she shed Before she put to bed. All worries abated, We all were elated As we welcome into our midst A tiny creature with balled fists. Her tiny feet, her cute face, So full of loving grace. Just the sight of her Made us forget our fears. She is a blessing in our lives, A mark to the end of our strives. This bundle of cuteness Brought to mommy's face joyful tears. Now her pains are forgotten,  As she beheld the wonder she's gotten. Hey! New mom, The time has come When changing nappies Will make you happy. It is a new phase in your life; Upgrading to Mom from mere wife. It won't always be fun Raising the cute little bun, But when things get stormy And seems quite overwhelming, Just a look at her angelic face Will make you bold to embrace Each and every challenge That, at you, life lunges...

She was such a pretty little thing. She had blond curls and piercing blue eyeballs. You could get lost in her beauty. She had always been a sight to behold. She always wore a shy expression  and a smile, little dimples peek out of her cheeks  whenever she smiled. You couldn't help but wonder how God created such a fragile and beautiful creature. Alongside her beauty, she's got a wonderful attitude. Always so pleasing,  always so kind. She never gets offended, she never frowns, she never throw fits. Such a perfect, little creature. As her twin, I was anything but. Where she was pure, I was tainted. Where she was faultless, I was the direct opposite. You just cant help it, she was from the Good Lord and I from the bad. I envied her, I hated her, I loathed her. She was always getting all the affection and attention. I always wanted to be seen. I just wanted  to be acknowledged. Then one day, just out of the blue, I decided to scar her pretty face. I cooked it  all ...

All it took was one look. Deep into my core, I reached, I found there was no reason to stay. The tender love and care was gone, And with it, the memories of our love gone wrong; All it took was one look. The bloom of our love had withered. I watched as the last petal went with the wind, I found there was no reason to stay. The sacrifices I made were fruitless, My pleas for better were futile; All it took was one look. To realize that you didn't love me anymore, And knowing that I loved you more than you ever could, I found there was no reason to stay. I hoped one day you would see, But in truth, it was left for me to see. All it took was one look, I found there was no reason to stay. —Onwumah Ozed ©2020

My mistakes are mine,  But I could have made less without you.  I could claim that you made the decisions for a long while,  But ultimately, the blame is on us two.  The unhappy child in me Is filled with a lot of happy memories.  And somehow, all I could ever see Was you hovering around like a cloud of uncertainties.  These days, I'm often caught Between a rock and a hard place; And when I thought I'd see you waiting,  You were nowhere near where I needed you.  I could bitch about and claim betrayal, But I think it's time I stopped feeling entitled.  I stopped waiting for you to be here during my bad times, Like you were during my good times.  I know I deserve more than what you're giving me,  And this time, I'm willing to wait.  I'll wait for the love I should have gotten And let go of the beautiful mistakes I made with you.  ©Khrystalz

 MY HEART IS COLD There was a time I laughed, Now my heart is cold. I used to smile, but Now my tears are bold. That moment in the open, You shone just like gold; My eyes were set on you, and Out went all I was told. You crippled my ears, On my thoughts, laid a blindfold; Deafened my eyes to caution, and Brought thoughts uncontrolled. I saw your hands outstretched, and Laid my heart in your hold. Down love's pit I went, By your gentle voice cajoled. That voice that sounded like honey, That face perfect to behold. Lips that tasted like music, Filling my heart with love untold. Promises we shared; That this love we'd uphold. Sweet memories atop each other; For you made my joy tenfold. We danced, I laughed; did not see When the warning bells tolled. Yes, we partied, while overhead, Grumpy thunder rolled. Or maybe I heard, but was seized By body with the perfect mold. Now there's nothing to say, I have just me to scold. This heartbreak is not new; All under the sun is old. Find...

At the edge of the cliff she found him, almost falling into his destruction. The look in his eyes unignorable, as he struggle so much to save himself, whilst rejecting all offers to help him up. She had willingly offered him her hand, for him to hold on to for his sake. And he had looked at it in disgust, before he grudgingly accepted it.  The foolish arrogant man! It doesn't cost much to ask for help. To him, maybe it does. Because not his riches but his ego is required. He fell in love with her. Yes, he had always loved her, that she knows. The look in his eyes when he watched her work...but that pride of his, that oversized head of his wouldn't allow him admit it. He barks at her at every chance he gets, enjoying himself as she obediently follows his instructions and meet every of his ridiculous demands. He keeps her every day of the week, just so she wouldn't be out of his sight. Until one day, he got carried away and lost all sense of reasoning as he couldn't help ...

 BEST MISTAKES I left my mistakes at the altar  As I cried and sang my heart out; But it sounded like a beautiful music gone wrong, And the worst part of melody.  I left my mistakes at the altar And prayed my heart not to wish for yesteryears.  My heart sang to you its favorite love song,  But you were long gone and couldn't hear it sing.  I left my mistakes at the altar, And maybe I left your memories there too.  I wanted no part in what could have been,  Because what was was my best mistake ever.  I left my mistakes at the altar, But you didn't see me walk down the aisle.  I went at a latter time and waited for the crowd to leave,  But I'm sorry I had to leave you standing there.  ©️Khrystalz

 THE MUSIC IN ME I've lived on this planet for more than two decades. I have lived to discover that Earth is based on the survival of the fittest. This little me has faced a lot of tribulations and celebrations, also disappointments and enjoyments. But if I were asked one day to answer the questions; What keeps moving you forward in life? Why have you not given all up? Without thinking and doubt, I would reply, “it is the music in me.” It pays to have what pushes you to success. Although while pushing, you may trip and fall, endeavour to rise again and continue the journey. It is worth it. Being a failure is not the end of the world. There is nothing wrong in falling. There is no big deal in failing.The worst that can ever happen to a man is not trying again. Most people are set back at the slightest mistake. A lot of people turn back at the last step. Most do not realize they are seconds away from winning before they relent. There is no praise given to an almost-doner.You either f...

  'Twas all bright before the light went dim; a phase next to hibernation. The cup can be filled again to the brim. A robust soul turned slim, its loneliness birthed by agitation; 'twas all bright, before the light went dim. A suspended wool with no rim, surrounded by many, but alone in aberration; the cup can be filled again to the brim. A wounded fish that can no longer swim, but swims freely in alienation; 'twas all bright, before the light went dim. If your soul has become so slim, having many around, yet in isolation, the cup can be filled again to the brim. Look inward for strength, don't go dim! Depression should be an abomination. 'Twas all bright, before the light went dim, the cup can be filled again to the brim. ©Arete