Butterfly

There is what we want and there is what we get. I want my transformation (my connection with myself) to be glorious, beautiful, and easy. I imagine a butterfly emerged from its cocoon; flying off into the sunset. Free, beautiful, above it all and never hungry again. The thing is, that first flight is not…

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I write from my scars

If you sensor the story, you will never know what it was meant to be Danny Shapiro I write from my scars. I don’t recall ever writing anything sensible from a bleeding wound. One of the gifts of healing is the ability to write about the experience of pain clearly, authentically and coherently. The ability…

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Baby, Come Home

My darling babies, Jump from our little nest and fly. Only and always remember one thing. You can come home from anyone, anywhere and anything. You can always come home. Chio (c), 2022

Red Flag

Red flag? What red flag? The one flapping in front of my face? Oh, I see. I see how you could be confused. It’s where you are standing. If you move right to where I am, you’ll see. You’ll see that it’s more cherry than red. In the right light, it’s almost fuschia. I will…

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Shall We Dance?

I danced with my demons for so long before learning that I could choose my own dance partner. Chio (c), 2022

Let me touch you

Let me touch you, he said. Of course, I replied. Tickle me between my ears first. Draw a laugh from my belly, and you can touch me anywhere. Chio (c), 2022

In-law

If you raise your daughterto be the woman you tried to make your daughter-in-law,would you be proud? Chio (c), 2022

Words

Sometimes the words rattle around loudly in my head. They are in no particular order. Just many. I’m overwhelmed. They want me to write them. How can I, when I can’t follow or keep up sometimes? I’m confused. What do you want me to say? I’m frustrated. If you won’t be clear, be quiet. I…

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I am out with lanterns looking for myself

“I took at the time, a memorandum of my several senses, and also of my hat and coat, and my best shoes – but it was lost in a melee, and I’m out with lanterns looking for myself.” Emily Dickinson I want to find myself, my 5 year old self said. Why don’t you go…

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