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It’s that time of year again —

when we honour a small enduring light, and a higher guiding one.

We celebrate our togetherness,

and pray for our uniqueness.

We talk of fun times past,

and drink to forget the hard times now.

But above all, remember this —

no matter what the monster says,

good people are still good,

and there are no returns on tickets to hell.

-Mandy Ricks

Don’t look at me

“Don’t look at me”,

she lowered her head.

Maybe more makeup would cover her shame.

She barely supposed to walk,

Her drummer is gone.

For sure she will wander,

head down,

most steps mistrodden,

until she can accept herself.

-Mandy Ricks

Those steps

You don’t have to feel ready to take the next step, a big step, or even a small step. You just have to be willing, for a moment, not to step away from yourself. -Mandy Ricks

Late night parking

Is it possible that the best thing about our relationship was the late night parking? Where shadows of something our hearts called love collided with vinyl seated orgasms. Or was it just easier to ignore the stop signs while we forged our fantasies. -Mandy Ricks

Never jump first

Summer arrived in a ball of heat
and humidity.
People bask in the sun wishing for
a great tan, an icy drink, and a hot companion.
And it’s true, your summer wishes may come true,
But sometimes the sun shines too bright,
blinding us to things that aren’t gorgeous at all.
So, remember, stay on guard, and never jump first.

-Mandy Ricks