Author: Shakira Velasquez (2nd place Winner!)

My mind is a scary place

It’s Pandora’s box 

but filled with thoughts

All too dangerous to keep to myself

An ocean of doubt, fear, and worry

With waves of feelings that erode my fragile heart

Washing away the joyful memories

of who I once was 

I start to lose who I am

Within this other world

This other dimension

I asked

No plead

begged sanity to come back 

but it didn’t listen 


Oh no...



I’ve been washed away again