Little Red

An evil predator in plain sight

Their sweetness merely a facade.
Untrustworthy; behind their smile

lies(,) hatred, and contempt

Never safe, never knowing
who might appear..

The menacing creature slowly

Tore away at my innocent heart

This red cloak, a feeble attempt at armor
Protect mine eyes from witnessing the violent slings

Dampen mine ears from hearing the grizzly snarls

Yet lacking a dagger, I still was exposed 

down the middle,

at my core.. 

As their claws sliced and scratched 

away at my insides.

Seeking refuge in the forest;

Nature, my only friend

My safe haven

From the deadly beast

Awaiting me at “home.”

Written by Rose A. Fitzgerald during a Therapeutic Poetry Workshop courtesy of SocietyX with Lisa Ann Markuson in response to my favorite folktale.

Rage Against ‎️‍🔥

Love yourself fiercely!

Day in and day out.

Cherish your quirks.

Adore your processes.

Honor your boundaries.

Worship your body.

Appreciate your attachments.

Enjoy your escapades!

Find beauty in the mundane.

Find possibility in the uncertainty.

Find light in the shadows.

Do not go quietly into your grave.

Choose yourself first, above all else.

Wail! Laugh! Be! 

exactly who you are

at your core.

Tear everything else down.

Written by Rose A. Fitzgerald during a Therapeutic Poetry Workshop courtesy of SocietyX with Lisa Ann Markuson in response to "Do not go gentle into that night" by Dylan Thomas.

Response

Shrouded in twilight

magic within;

When the tide rescinds
the path clears,

and we journey on
into the horizon.

Fortune favors me;

entrenched in love 

and guided by grace,
lessons to learn.

Fear is not the enemy,

heal and grow
trust and know
play and rest

All is well.

I am beautiful.

I am magnificent.

I am worthy.

I belong.

Written by Rose A. Fitzgerald during a Therapeutic Poetry Workshop courtesy of SocietyX with Lisa Ann Markuson in response to "A Woman Speaks" by Audre Lorde.

Notes Reflecting

Crackle--

                Pop! 

an old record player

Multiple people speaking

Inner voice repeating

Listen closely.

closer.

See the vibrations.

Touch the colors.

Feel the words.

Clarity arises:

“Why not seize the day?”

Trust your inner self

Jump

Fly

Soar

be.

Written by Rose A. Fitzgerald during a Therapeutic Poetry Workshop courtesy of SocietyX with Lisa Ann Markuson regarding songs and the power of music

Childhood Fantasy

Walk cleanly away

“No” means no.

No, thank you.

No more.

Strong, secure, healthy bonds

Genuine emotional connection

Permission to safely express 

my thoughts and feelings

Clear communication

Pure intention

Best interest

always.

Reconnecting with my inner child

Butterflies, bubbles, and breeze

Realizing that I am safe now.

It is safe now

to reconnect

to heal

to grow

to share

to speak

to be

No longer a fantasy,

but a reality.

Here and now. 

Written by Rose A. Fitzgerald during a Therapeutic Poetry Workshop courtesy of SocietyX with Ziara Kýre York regarding fantasy and reconnecting with your inner child.

"Dear John"

No more

No, thank you

I am not your hidden desire

I am not your secret love(r)

I am not your hot-cold or lukewarm comfort

I am empowered, 

I am beautiful,

I am smart,

I am kind,

I am desirable

and you, dear John.. should consider yourself lucky

to have ever even had the privilege to perceive me in your realm 

I am beautiful,

I am wanted,

I am power(ful),

I am love(d),

I deserve to be cherished and supported.

Fully. Completely. Entirely. Publicly.

If only you knew.

If only you could 

     appreciate what and who I truly am.

If only you could..

Too bad, 

    how terribly sad

                           —for you.

I am committed to myself now.

I respect myself.

I value myself.

and that is all I need, thank you.

Sincerely,
No longer yours

Me, myself, and I (owe you nothing)
No more

[repeat as/if needed]

Written by Rose A. Fitzgerald during a Therapeutic Poetry Workshop courtesy of SocietyX with Lisa Ann Markuson regarding "Dear John"/Goodbye letters.

Within

I have petals, I have thorns.

I am soft, I am hard.

I am leather, I am lace.

I am sensitive, I am assertive.

I have a peaceful arsenal.

I am an emotional badass.

I am a depressed ray of freaking sunshine.

I have shadow, anger, and stillness.

I am light, love, and vibration.

Written by Rose A. Fitzgerald during a Therapeutic Poetry Workshop courtesy of SocietyX with Lisa Ann Markuson regarding facets of self in the midst of a patriarchal society.