“My love speaks for me in places that I cannot be,
It creeps into forbidden spaces that my body is unable to reach.
It’s been known to travel long and far in a bewildered search for peace,
Always convincing the mind to wander and believe what it sees.
But as the story tells things are never quite what they seem,
In the places my love speaks for me that I cannot be...”
— Excerpt from “The Places My Love Speaks” by Ashlei Simmons @plantedseedspoetry
“I can feel the little girl inside me still running around,
Flickering the lights looking for a sign of life in the house.
Oh restless child,
I know you think things will be this way for quite a while.
We learn as we go,
Life as you know isn’t for you to have it all figured out.
I know without someone to guide your path,
Your trail is filled with doubt.
You have to learn to trust yourself,
as the bread crumbs disappear.
Oh restless child,
if only you knew how life would change in just a few years.”
— Excerpt from “As The Breadcrumbs Disappear” by Ashlei Simmons.
One day you’ll realize that the box you’ve envisioned yourself in is just, that...
A visual comfort zone you’ve created.
A place you kept your true self buried to avoid emotional tribulations.
Nothing but a figment of insecurity inside of your own imagination.
On the other side of your fear is where your potential builds foundation.
One day you’ll realize that the box you’ve envisioned yourself in is just, that...
Nothing but a figment of insecurity inside of your own imagination.
From “As The Breadcrumbs Disappear” by Ashlei Simmons.
“There will come a time in your pursuit of growth that everything you found comfort in before will forsake you. You will outgrow rooms, conversations and people you thought you couldn’t be without. But just when you start to think your entire world has come to and end...You’ll realize that can’t be. This is where your story begins.”
— Excerpt from “As The Breadcrumbs Disappear” by Ashlei Simmons
“Every night she takes a pill and swallows it whole. People ask what it is, she pretends not to know
“It’s hurting you” they all say, but she just smiles and takes it day by day
“It’s hurting you” they all exclaim, but it’s benefiting others so she feels no shame
Weeks go by as the realization starts creeping in, it’s hurting her, but she’s helping him
A smile on another’s face is worth more than mine
I’ve done wrong for I still haven’t paid time
This is what she claims to deserve, in hopes she’ll be blessed if she lives out the curse
Every night she washes herself away with a couple swigs of water
There’s a corpse in the bed resembling a younger version of her father
He grins as she sips, and chuckles as the pill passes her lips
“It’s hurting you” they all scream and scream
He turns to her, “I think it’s helping a lot babe, what do you think?”
—Ashlei Simmons, Planted Seeds Poetry