My dedication describes this poem - Love should not hurt. There is hope. Excuses are just that, excuses and they are empty. There is no reason for anyone to raise their hand in anger against anyone. This is unacceptable.

Dedicated to women that are stuck in an abusive relationship. True love
should not hurt. Abuse is a disease and the abuser needs help. Have the
courage to help them while helping yourself. There is HOPE.

As parents we raise our kid to bring joy in our life. How tragic that at the blow of a sword so many lives are affected.

Dedicated to those who have lost loved ones to war.

Secrets kept oftentimes are because of love - being afraid that someone else will have to pay if you tell, and willing to sacrifice to save the one you love...

Well, this one is not really about what it appears to be about. I had a close friend whose Mother was an alcoholic. And she treated him terribly. He would ask me what he should do for her, but I couldn't tell him . . . I didn't know. Then his mom ended her own life. And as I thought about it, it somehow made sense to me at the time that if I had only helped my friend get her help then she would still be alive. In retrospect I believe that I acted correctly, but I HAD to write about it and this is what came out.

This poem is about the unfortunate loss of innocence when a child dies. A mother watches her young child get beaten to death by gang members, feeling helpless and hopeless all at once.

My parents fought a lot when I was little and I find myself afraid to love anyone because I may end up like them.

Well my cousin was killed by drunk driving kids last year when she was 19. After her funeral I came home and sat down and began to write this poem called "Who Would Know"

How far will we go to attain society's version of perfection? Is it worth the price?

This poem I wrote in school, I had to write a poem on the topic of child abuse and I just couldn't stop writing.

Every time you watch the news, you realize how lucky you are. We have a home, family, friends. Yet, sometimes we all hate our lives. But why? It makes me feel guilty when I complain about some messed up relationship or some little misfortune that comes my way. Then I realize how lucky I am and all these obstacles seem so small compared to what many other people have to suffer.

I'm strongly against bombing in Kosovo. I feel the same way about Milosovich. I just don't understand why innocent people on both sides have to suffer from the stupidity of people in power.