your absence hurts me
leaving a hole in my spirit
where you belon g
the clouds
obscure the sun
but she
is planning
her revenge
and will dissipate
them all
in the morning
with her first touc h
i vow to contribute
to creating a world
where progress is celebrated
where everyone
regardless
of their
sex
gender
sexuality
or whatever
is treated
equally

we made a language
all our own
out of the slang
and ways of speaking
that we formed
togethe r
the sun knows
that the whims
of the clouds
on earth
truly mean nothing
in the larger scheme
of things
she will win
in the en d
everyone deserves
to exist
exactly as they ar e
nice guys
who are just
using being ‘nice’
as a way
to try to get sex
are the worst
type of me n
we are all
just trying to find
our place
in this worl d
life
is far too short
not to take
everything
it has to offe r
do not listen
to those
who tell you
that you
must change
who you ar e
love
always win s
you showed me
the type of love
that my analytical mind
could only
begin to appreciat e
CHAPTER FOU R
A SOUL IN THE NIGH T
the greatest secret
of life
is that we
are the product
of the mistakes
we make
mistakes shape us
into the person
we will ultimately
becom e
i was
a lost soul
in the night
stumbling around
confused and broken
until you
took my hand
and led me
to the light
with your lov e
stop losing sleep
over those
who don’t even
bat an eye
at the idea
that they
have hurt you
your inner fire
is enough
to devour the world
do not
treat it lightl y
to be broken
is not the same
as giving up
you do not need
to give up
on the contrary
see this as an opportunity
to put yourself
back together again
into something
ne w
you do not know
the extent
of your true strength
until
you keep fighting
even though
you’re tire d
keep going
even when
it seems
like the most
impossible thing
in the entire worl d
the best part
about healing
is that your scars
make you stronger
than you’ve ever been
before

you will know
that your strength
has eclipsed
your pain
capable
of moving o n
every beautiful thing
comes from pain
a dove
cannot take to the skies
without going
through the struggle
of breaking through
its shel l
once
you have begun
to heal yourself
your inner light
will spread
to those around yo u
it is time
to tell your heart
to move o n
find someone
who doesn’t cringe
when you express
your individuality
and quirks
find someone
who sees who you are
and loves you deepl y
be ruthless
with cutting out
the things
and people
in your life
that don’t make you
happ y
do not feel guilty
for cutting out
the people
who add stress
and negative energy
into your life
let the toxic people
go
i still think of you
whenever i see
a beautiful rose
some memories
are too powerful
to forge t
do not think twice
about leaving
situations
that make you
feel
badly
about yoursel f
some people just want to hurt you to make themselves feel a sense of power that they do not deserve
do not take it personally
but also
do not
give them a pass
for the way they ac t
ultimately
the person
you need most
in the world
is yourself

focus on yourself
first and foremos t
no matter
the length
of your journey
do not forget
to keep
looking up
the cosmos
move
in their beautiful patterns
within the confines
of your sou l
you do not need
to hold yourself
to the standard
of perfection
it is enough
to push further
than you were
yesterday

do not allow others
to take
your inner light
from yo u
joy
is a beautiful thing
on the face
of a woman
who has gotten over
a man
who does not
deserve he r
your problems
are not permanent
you will look back
on them one day
feeling free
as a bird
having conquered
all
of all the mistakes i’ve ever made
you are the one
i wish i could repeat
over and over agai n
one day
i will wake up
no longer craving you
no longer desperately wanting
your soul
to be next to mine
again
one day
i will recover
and become whole
again
 �
��
DO NOT FORGET
TO BELIEVE
THAT THE DARKNESS
THAT SURROUNDS YOU
WILL NOT LAST FOREVER
YOU WILL BECOME FREE
THIS I PROMISE YO U
A SOUL IN THE NIGH T
A SOUL IN THE NIGHT is a book of poetry written over the course of nearly a decade by Kendrick Goldwater. It chronicles his journey through darkness and pain, love and heartbreak, into a place of hope, love, and healing.