Before the music, before the movement, there were words.

These poems were written across different chapters of my life–each one capturing a feeling, a moment, or a version of myself that needed somewhere to exist.

Some are love stories. Some are warnings. Some are fairytales. Some are reminders to keep going.

Together, they tell a story of becoming: learning to recognize the storm, find the rainbow, tend to the garden, embrace the thorns, and ultimately discover that the light we spend so long searching for may have been inside us all along.

Cue “River Flows in You” – Yiruma. Some songs carry memories words can’t quite hold.

between the roses & the wolf: poetry collection

BY: SARAH VENOM

THE CHAPTER YOU HOPED FOR

A book judged itself by its own cover
The paperback book with ripped pages
Stains from coffee on the edges
Reminiscing the time it was fresh off the press
And sadly, on the shelf it sat

Until someone decided to check the book out
Lifting it up page by page
The book felt so alive
Like someone who fell in love for the first time
Teaching with each word
Until the last chapter

It was time to go back to the library
…To sit quietly…
The book fought back tears and thought,
“If only they could hear me!”
As they stared blankly at the return box
That special someone said,
“This one is a keeper.”

THE REAL HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Once upon a time
Many moons ago
Fireflies filled the sky.
It was You & I
We danced and held hands.
You spun me around…
And then,
I hit the ground.
silence. can. sound. so. loud.
All the music that played,
seemed to fade.
The guitar strings stopped
And i no longer sung our songs.
i found a silver line
A RAINBOW!
It just took time.
A love that was inside
And it would outshine
Any fairytale.
Love is not something I must find
it was with me this whole time.

FIND A REAL UMBRELLA

Love is like a big umbrella blocking the storm.
If someone is a storm, run & find shelter.
You will feel better.
Just have faith you can navigate
Through this weather.
Once the rain stops,
There will be a rainbow in the sky.
Just keep looking up
& keep your head held high

RED ROSES

They loved each other. Inseparable. Pure, fresh, conditional love. Trust that could measure across the Earth an infinite amount. A touch that filled the naive heart with instant satisfaction. And time stretched forever.

It seemed as though birds performed their songs for them and the two lovers were stuck in this new exciting maze full of red roses and waterfalls.

Until the maze turned into a tunnel leading to a mysterious and rough pond. The two adventurous lovers jumped into the shallow water. They searched for each other, but the pond was cloudy, dark and full of quicksand. Gasping for air the sand pulled them deeper and deeper.

This new existence was empty, dull and pitch black. They craved the surface, but the black hole exploited their superficial love. They no longer recognized each other or themselves.

Lost, hungry and disconnected. They realized forever is more than a moment and that love is more than red roses.

STAND TALL

a beautiful rose that stands tall…slowly the rose petals begin to fall…vibrant colors all around…but no one notices through the sound…so many petals at my feet…i can hardly speak.

taking time to smell the flowers…watching the colors fade could make anyone cower…but don’t assume, don’t consume in the wound, zoom in and find a new bloom.

take that flower, grow your own tower and know you have hidden power.

PRESENCE

Eternal
Immortal
Just pause
Just be
Feel this moment at your feet
baby steps is all you need
don’t rush it
it’s yours to keep
fear is your enemy
it steals your identity
Trust yourself
Choose bravery.

SIT ON THE BEACH

a mermaid in the sea
who only wanted to be free
but unfortunately
a dark force suddenly raided her castle
and played
the ace of spades

the mermaid wished she could trade in her tail
she wanted to sail
and ditch the ocean
which began to taste bland
a true fairytale story
is where her compass
would land

she dreamt of braiding her hair
in the sand
because now she was banned
exiled
tangled in a pile of seaweed.

we need a spell she thought.
she waited until she was caught.
they tried to drag her to the castle.
they told her she was wrong.
so she sang her haunting song.

clouds began to darken
the waves towered above
lightning struck
the clock once or twice
which would soon
reveal paradise

unchained and unapologetic
she sat on the beach
feeling so magnetic

THE SEED

Gardens…bright and green
oh how magical it all seems
but that took time
from the seed, to the roots, to the sprout
to feeling brand new
many moons & many suns
and watering when things
were coming undone

patience is a virtue
and I believe,
love is a garden
One that only breathes
if you give
and receive.

WHO IS THE WOLF?

a tangle web i weave
why i wonder and wither
while wiping my tears
with my wrist
drinking wine on my windowsill
outside looking like a winters chill
this weather isn’t welcomed
this time of year
the trees wave through the wind
and tangle away
i write in my journal about
two roads going the wrong way
my weak heart walks west
dodging these weapons
searching for water to wash
the weight of the wicked
spiders have awakened
woven wisdoms written
within their webs
deep within the wilderness
answers wait at the willow trees
i wiggle wish and whisper
which one is secretly a wolf
wanting a victim?

FROM A FAR

i love you from a far
dreaming of our past memories
questioning them
as if they ever existed
good
and bad
but the connection was different
i love you from a far
to protect my heart
because my heart can’t take it
thinkin’ you are fakin’
confused by a kiss
i don’t know if it’s worth the risk
so I love you from a far
and have no expectations
I give love to myself
and to the ones who listen
Spending time healing
because time is limited
but I send love your way…
i love you from a far
because you will always be
in my heart

LOVE LANGUAGE

Affection
and desire
What’s your style?
Chemistry
and quality
a feeling of mystery
Rhythm
and rhyme
Music is time
Romance
and respect
a language without neglect
Passion
and devotion
it’s like a love potion
a great kisser
and an even better listener
Physical touch
with no rush
Holding hands
When the day ends.
What’s your expression?