Switzerland

mountains climb over lakes,

snow meets sun and sundays sunning under far away shadows cast by tall peaks.

driving through, stopping at the water,

sighing, dreaming, thinking,

"i want to live here when i grow up"

but i'd settle for living there now.

a country surrounded on its sides by haute-couture, lace, chocolate, and tall, dark and handsome.

a girl can get used to that.

a girl can already start to miss that.

don't turn your back

give it one more chance.

it hurts.

it always will.

even when you think it's okay,

that you're okay -

that one song will tip the scale you didn't know was off center.

and you'll be off center yet again.

but don't turn your back.

face the pain,

show it your courage.

face forward so you can move forward.

turning your back puts you face to face with your dementors.

the sun is shining ahead of you.

don't turn your back.

give it another chance.

London

there's open space between where you are and where you want to be.

a span of nothingness to cause you to lose your footing, to stumble if you don't pay attention.

pay attention.

keep your head up, looking towards your goals,

but watch your step.

cast your eyes downwards for only a moment so as to not miss anything,

cast your eyes downward for only a moment so as to not fall.

make sure to mind the gap while following your dreams.

make sure to mind the gap between where you are

and where you want to be.

your beauty comes out under the sun.

it's like grace is shining down,

reminding the world of how your soul shines.

beauty is fleeting - rarely looking back as it decides to leave, but sometimes it shows up unexpectedly.

walking onto a bus,

smiling at your daughter,

holding your husband's hand.

even on a cloudy day,

the sun seems to find you,

warming your cheeks

and the hearts of those near you.

your beauty shines under the sun for everyone to see.

you knew it was there the whole time.

we wake up and everyday the colours are a little brighter, a little more saturated.

the sun shines brighter as we step out into its embrace, embracing each other.

we go out.

we see the sights.

the buildings look taller, your smile looks wider, my heart feels lighter.

night falls but the ferocity of the shining stars keeps things in sight.

i fall asleep.

everything is alright.

everything feels right.

Roma

in the city, night is day. awash in the glow of ever-burning lamps, everything is illuminated. city streets flickers and shine like the stars they overshadow. in this light, you can see people for who they truly are. at night, it's bright enough to see the masks come off. to see the truth.

Oxford

green gardens reserved for the wicked at heart

the brave and adventurous of mind

the stalwart of soul

the green landscape covers miles separating me from you

a distance immeasurable and vast

somewhere along the way i forget

how to love you

i learn to be strong without you

instead