Lindsey Mohnacky

Dear teacher, if only you knew . . . Feet dragging, heads hanging, We can’t see what’s true. Minds spinning, hands quaking, How can you know what we’ve been through? If only you

Like a ship crashing between waves, I’m tossed far from the shore– Resisting the urge to give up, But I can’t go on anymore. Like the uncontrollable tide, My enemies gather

Drops cascading, Ripples distributing, Rings expanding–– Disturbing my peace. Surface shattering, Skies scattering, Clouds concealing–– Stealing my joy. Trees reaching, Branches grabbing, Sun retreating–– Unseating my ease. Clouds wrestling, Stars crashing, Thunder roaring–

Are any of these colors suitable To reflect a life so greatly missed? To show the difference you made Through how you lived? How to choose even one flower for your grave: Red?

Falling gently from the sky, Dancing in the crisp morning light, And riding a peaceful breeze, To the frozen earth they fly–– Their design, unique. Their framework, deliberate, As they soar from the

Sweat soaked his skin, But still he fled through the trees. Panting, Nathan stopped to catch his breath–– He knew he wouldn’t outrun the guilt within. Defying the evening’s gentle breeze,

Falling, O Lord, hear my desperate cry! Plunging far from Your eternal presence, Perplexed at my consistent condition–– From my miserable state, rescue me! Save me from despairing reality. Calling, O Lord, hear

Laughed at, scorned, and alone, Looking for a direction to go— Lost in the crowd, longing for a friend. You're told you are helpless, never shown A way to grow— Battered and tired

Pencils scratch and scribble Like dozens of mice scurrying Across a table— The teacher paces purposefully, Watching her pupils’ work, Waiting for the lightbulb— That spark of comprehension. Patient as a farmer watching

Towering waves roar at Those who’ve come to tame them, Never surrendering to men attempting To stand. Boards break, bones crack— No one can hinder the tide. The water laughs at failures

Sunlight glittered on the liquid streets— Like a sea of diamonds, Michele thought as he ran to meet His darling at the Shining Islands, A restaurant they were fond of Since the beginning

People push past in a terrible fury, Most of them anxious and in a hurry, Some frantic as they run to and fro, Not knowing when or where to go. All are busy,

Students' shoulders sag sorrowfully At the Season’s sluggishness, The Semester, stagnant and slow. We trod on our trajectory In a trance, totally and utterly tired, Thankful for the treasured time with family.

From my first breath, You have been there. And indescribable depths Of love are shown To all of us each day. Your faithfulness is true; Your Christ-like love, sincere As you lead our

A structure stands engulfed in shadow, Its inhabitants yet to be seen. Gusts of frigid wind buffet and blow Through a castle without a queen. Black skeletons moan As they beat at the