One Hit Wonder

love is a one-hit wonder.
you hear it on every station
you see it in the theaters-- on and off the screen
everyone seems to love it; but you can't get a good hold of why

you find it to be overplayed and overrated
it's repetitive and annoying and predictable

it's funny cause you liked it at first, 

you played it with your friends and at parties and even blasted it in your room.
but now it's ringing through your headphones and pounding in your ear and you can't seem to get it to stop

boy, I'm sorry I was your one hit wonder

I know I'm on repeat because my heart is bruised from every turn it's taken on this record player
I get old fast and I'm rarely taken off the shelf but I know you'll remember me.
because I was once the music you danced to in your room

the song you played over and over each day on your way to school.

But in the end I got old and became too predictable

and so now-- you've moved on to something new.

~JQP

656.5 hrs

it was j dawgs and disco skating

military terms and self-imposed curfews

it was good morning huns and good night loves

and poisoned stumps with almond coconut cookies

it was coco and we love you sally carmichael and bwws when you never wanted to go

it was 1N6 and Alma32 and centerville stake center scavenger hunts

it was 3 dinners on a sunday and chex cereal on a hard day and wendys because it was arts day

it was the 5th floor and too much homework and every spanish paper i had you edit

it was favorite places and park corners with kids smoking weed behind the trees

it was grandmas house on sunday and birthday dinners and card games of trick

it was ward prayer and colleen and kent and holly and sefa and jordanas' every drama

because as matchmaker and heart saver we braved april 2nd through april 29th

and then it was over.

you're still my best friend

and i miss your arms around me

but i'm happy it happend

and i'm proud of the decision you made

i want the best for you

and i know you want the best for me.

so thank you.

becasue those 656.5 hours were a time i will never forget

~andra

thats how you know it meant something

its okay that he never came

its okay that i wish he did

its okay that my heart sinks everyday

wanting to scream and curse hope for holding my hand all this time--

hand still reaching

feet still wondering

mind outrunning, cunning

a way into my heat

healing the hurt

painting on scars

pumping out pain

hopelessness comes in with the tide

it never stays

it always comes back

i'll cry

i'll shrink

but i'll stand

in the end i always knew

its supposed to hurt.. 

that's how i knew

he meant something.

~AA

i decide

i never saw you as a threat
day and night weren't always painted with regret
even if you asked me now the waves would linger yet 
calls unanswered, empty words
its all the same
did it mean anything more to you than an annoying girl trying to catch your name?
even if it didn't-- its all the same. 

***

it doesn't phase me to see her by your side
darkness doesn't haunt me when alone while i drive
everyone is out and i'm happy tucked inside
certainly missing something, yet,
its all the same
doesn't matter now, i know my name-- and
even if you didn't-- its all the same.

~AA

Salutations

Hi, My name is never been kissed
Spelled F-O-R-E-V-E-R-A-L-O-N-E
My name is home for the weekend and asking you what's your plan
The name's lights out, make out, and I'll watch out because my name tag clearly spells: T-H-I-R-D-W-H-E-E-L
My name is aren't you glad he told you he loved you and walked away without any goodbye.
The name's catch the next bus because this ones full and no one wants to stand too close anymore.
My name is almost been, never been, only been.. friends and hearing about the love of your life all over again.
My name is show me your soul and tell me I can't have it because your heart belongs to someone who doesn't want it.
The name's hearts break and bones break but souls only shake.
My name is harbor of broken boats
My name is sky full of fallen stars
My name is window of shattered glass
But then again you never actually asked..

Hi, my name is no one you'd want to know. But its okay nobody knows me anyway.

-∆∆

why oh why did cupid shoot me

Hi

I know we’ve talked maybe three times

But you feel like home.

You’ve got my heat tripping over its beat

But my tongue is double knotted and your 2 ft. out of reach

College is full of open doors

But my mind isn’t convinced that you’re one of them

I think logic and heart strings should make a band,

Combine them like one republic

Bring a beat and a cello and make a hit that sells millions to trembling hands and shattered eardrums

Let their hearts rock them to sleep to the melody and their Friday nights take their breath away soft and smooth, waking up to Saturday morning drowning in unanswered calls, unsent texts and a pounding bridge written by yours truly, logic at its best.

I don’t believe that love is as awful as they make it out to be

Adjust

Mistrust

Tin heart

Tears and rust

Hollows inside filled with avid butterflies

Lonely nights not by your side

I don’t believe that love is as crazy as they make it out to be

Tangled hair

All in but scared

58000 miles

Handwritten letters she tares

Tracing paths around your heart

Running so they can’t force us apart

It’s not that complicated darling

It’s open mouths and childhood stories

It’s open arms and willing shoulders

It’s goodnight kisses and vulnerable limelight

Letting fears come through your sighs

Look I know we won’t be in your history books but that doesn’t mean we won’t remember us

Because darling love isn’t an article published in The New York Times

Love isn’t bragging to your friends or taunting enemies

It was never a public affair or a court case

Love doesn’t need Facebook’s lawyers or Snapchat’s replays

It’s not a picture on Instagram or a statement on Twitter

Love is quiet

and simple

and listens

and grows

It doesn’t just happen, or grab you all at once, it becomes

And darling its growing on me

~A.A.

6 | 9 | 1 7

i thought i would get a free chick-fil-a sandwich today, but i packed a lunch and sat down and all i feel is content. 
i'll have to pay off my loans but all that's left due is $114.

God is good.

He found me a parking spot and helped me develop a crush on the boy who live in peru
He inspired my interviews and woke me up in the morning
He strengthened me to clean my room and to support my heart
He gave me brownies at the hand of angel mother and saved an extra bite sitting in my room for after homework
God sent me straight to college and a job
and a home close by with friends and family.
it's a beautiful place when we let the light fill our sight

and darling, i'm alive.

~JQP

p.s.
i'm home, love