Palabra

Community of Poets

[thepalabra]

Do You Like It?

Self-injected. Self-inflicted. Self-designated.

Do you like my self-mutilated, self-hated, cropped and cut image I curated?

Please follow my content pages.

I sell my soul for some validation.

———-

by Instinctraps

[thepalabra]

Whatever my dad was for me, he isn’t that for my brother.

It used to bother me. It hurt.

But he’s from a generation not about change about regret, and silence.

I’m more proud than hurt.

———

by instinctraps

[thepalabra]

Say Something That Hurts

She looked at me mid-argument and said

you have no friends.

————-

by Instinctraps

[thepalabra]

How to Hurt Someone:

FUCK YOU

FUCK THAT

Over spilled pineapple juice?

The cuss words hold no power. It’s the quiet words afterwards.

(The silence is calculated.

What’s the most hurtful thing I can say?)

I can see why you struggle at work.

Why would you say that?

It was a joke.

(I spew with a smirk, like a snake salivating with venom.)

——-

by Instinctraps

[thepalabra]

12 Years

You were perfect for us. I would melt when you looked at me. I can’t believe I won’t hear your bark in the house anymore. I can’t believe you won’t be at the end of the bed, napping with me.

I asked myself what you remembered before we headed to the hospital.

Maybe you don’t recall, but when we brought you home, I had to hide you on the bus. You were covered in fleas, and mom cleaned you up.

It was Mother’s Day when we brought you home. Now, twelve years later, Mother’s Day again.

I… can’t even bring myself to say it.

They said you were in pain. That it could get worse.

I wanted to be selfish for me, for my mom, but I couldn’t bear it.

Twelve years. That’s all I keep thinking.

I should have gone the night before. I should have waited another day. I should have taken you to the beach like we promised we would.

I should have gotten you that pupachino.

Was it hard for you like it was for us?

Because even though you didn’t speak a word, your gaze is all we can talk about.

You didn’t close your eyes.

We whispered into your ear until there was nothing.

Your eyes open. You stuck your tongue out to lick us.

It’s okay, Stinky. You can rest now.

—————-

by Instinctraps

from the collection *I hope you read this*

[thepalabra]

I wonder if I died a long time ago and this is my sentence

never living up to my potential, always a frame behind my purpose.

————-

by Instinctraps

[thepalabra]

A Gentle Hand

A gentle hand A love’s forever warm embrace My heart’s external bloom.

Madre amorosa Luz de mi vida Flor del corazón

Gracias por la humildad Gracias por las manos amables Y consejos que guían mi vida

Sonrisas que no se olvidan En el jardín de mi corazón Eres la flor que me enseñó Cómo plantar sus raíces.

—-

by Instinctraps

from the collection *I hope you read this*

[thepalabra]

what’s in front of me

They trust me to see them forward.

I am only good to work with what’s directly in front of me.

Once I close my eyes there’s nothing.

_______

by Instinctraps

[thepalabra]

Unwritten Poem

Your eyes pierced my soul

Each glance, a story untold.

Your thoughts echo

and reverberate

through lines yet not heard.

I dream in words,

and you are the unfinished poem

I’m afraid I’ll misinterpret.

My pen trembles

Shy and uncertain. 

My unwritten poem,

you are my purpose.

—————-

by Instinctraps 

from the collection *I hope you read this*

[thepalabra]

Me Too

I talk to you sometimes

when you’re not here

through text,

through music,

through poetry,

through thoughts.

You replied: “Me too.”

—————-

by Instinctraps

from the collection *I hope you read this*

[thepalabra]

Skeleton Man

I simply am not there. Bateman.

You can see my gaze, touch my skin, feel the heat coming off my words.

Whether I’m here or not, who knows.

I drift between days, my reflective emotions always a frame behind.

“I’m the eldest boy” reverberates in my mind. (Said like it’s a crown; worn like a casket.)

Whether I’m being used, or using

my drug is lust.

Women. Power. Recognition.

I can’t even draw the distinction within myself.

Self that’s the only thing I care about.

My perception. My interpretation. My synopsis.

I’m all skeleton no filler, no meat.

I can’t even see you when you look at me.

I can’t even feel my hands anymore.

Wait…

———————

by Instinctraps

continued in *Midnight* collection.

[thepalabra]

Palace of Imagination

Welcome to the Palace of Imagination

Everything on the shelf is free if you know the magic words

For those who want to learn new things or explore the past

There's something for you

There's something for everyone

Sports

Politics

Romance

Fake

True

Once you step in you won't want to leave

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by Othree

[thepalabra]

Wishes

Be careful what you wish for

you might get everything you ever dreamed of and more

Imagine it

Feel it

Embrace it

Love it

Be happy with yourself because those wishes could add to your happiness

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by Othree

[thepalabra]

Thoughts Brought to Life

If it ain't a word

It's a stroke of the marker

If it ain't a colorful shade

It's a movement of the wrist laying out my thought

They both say the same thing but in their own form

If it ain't either, it's a rhyme

It's me it's Othree, I'm everywhere you see

------

by Othree

[thepalabra]

I Found You

Words I said to myself

A big surprise but not really

I knew you were out there

Waiting like I was waiting

You probably said the same thing

Not a sentence but a look

The look of now and forever

Grateful

That's all I can feel

Your beautiful brown skin and brunette hair

Singing the same tune

Breathing the same air

A product of the same world

I found you

I finally found you

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by Othree

[thepalabra]

Bird's Eye View

I am that bird sitting on the cables

Looking down, around, up, left, and right

Traveling from place to place

Alone

In a flock

Flapping my wings because it's who I am

In silence

Making noises

A creature in the sky

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by Othree

[thepalabra]

Sleepy

My dog starts barking

Time check

Another day is here

The Sun is hiding behind the clouds waiting for its moment to peek and bless the people with its rays

This time, it was less than 4

I need at least 6, 7, or 8

My eyes are heavy

The body aches and cries for more rest

I must get up

I have to get up

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by Othree