Breath Without Apology
I stand here,
with a chest full of echoes,
and a tongue heavy with prayers.
I want a life,
not stitched in fear,
but woven in safety,
like a blanket that never tears.
I want a love,
not a riddle,
not a puzzle with missing pieces,
but a flame steady,
burning without question,
a hand that does not tremble
when it reaches for mine.
I want peace,
not the fragile kind,
not the one that vanishes
when silence enters the room,
but peace that lingers,
like incense in the rafters,
like dawn refusing to surrender to night.
I want simplicity,
the kind that feels like home,
like laughter spilling in kitchens,
like children chasing shadows,
like the sound of rain
reminding us we are alive.
And if you ask me again,
what I want,
I will tell you
I want to breathe without apology,
to love without armor,
to rest without ghosts,
to live before dying,
to begin before ending.
© Tr. Elvis Otieno Gikoi
® ArtFromHeart
If I were a cat
I’d scratch this and that
To me it wouldn’t matter
I’d pee on the floor
Chip paint off the door
Maybe jump on the counter
I act like a cat
Thinking this and that
But actions always matter
So now I’m a man
I sit with my sham
And I begin to shatter
Because I can see
It always was she
Left crying, dying, after
Father, please don't hide sadness.
Your silence breaks my heart.
My mistake caused your pain.
Please forgive your little girl.
I know you fought today.
Because of my childish act.
Neighbors heard angry voices.
Your heart carried every wound.
Balcony holds your lonely tears.
I quietly sit beside you.
Your smile means my world.
Please smile once for me.
Never again I'll hurt you.
Never lower your proud head.
Your values guide my footsteps.
Your love lights every path.
Hold my tiny little hand.
Let me heal your heart.
Forever your grateful daughter.
Forever my beloved father. ??
Cold mirror frozen
Knows sorrowful sinful past
Wondering lost mind
A red ruby fire shine bright
Melting the reflective ice
“I'm Sorry”
They said to the lifeless body.
There's no remorse in their eyes.
A hint of pleasure.
They know it was their fault.
Leaving them alone.
They knew the person was lost.
Afraid.
They begged for you to. . .
Stay?
.
Your body lies there.
The bleeding stopped.
You cried for them but they left
Why do you still want them?
They.
Hurt.
You.
Once every passing, in a pattern amidst thirty,
I offer my regret like a palm held open and empty,
The calendar knows before I do. It rattles in my bones.
My knees crumble like paper, vibrating and percussive.
Joy thins out quietly, anxiety knocks, but I never answer,
I apologize for the quiet weeks I called ordinary,
I’m sorry for mistaking mercy as a default.
I fold into myself and whisper promises upward.
In two weeks tops,
I will forget this pain.
And that will be the cruelest part.
Lame excuses don't cut it.
Takes more than flowers to impress me.
Man up ~ say you're sorry.
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
I know loving me can’t be that easy
Everyone else’s love teases me with how easy it is.
Well I constantly have you running in circles just to find me.
I try to show you I care but it is not something I bare easily but I will grow for you.
Thou were right to leave my anxious side,
My soul within a storm of doubt did hide,
I crave thy proof of love with a jealous hand,
And in that quest,all vestiges of intimacy died.
I was intimidated by thoughts I could not tame,
Demanding shows of passion,stoking flames
But offering no warmth in my heart,
Stalked by fear,I only offered the shame.
Angry when my wants were not fulfilled,
My inner most by gnawing worry chilled;
Forgive the youth who knew not how to love,
Whose selfish needs thy gentle spirit killed.
At the pier, waiting for apologies
My little self awaits her mundane reality
Every broken promise, a piece of her heart ripped out
Leaving her dreams behind like she didn't just stay up late practicing that dance choreo,
But I am no time traveler, so how shall I tell her that , little kiddo I am really sorry.
Scarce thought held I for angel's hearts, though oft touched by their wings.
Sure the mind stays fixed from mortal parts, while to you an angel sings.
Then light pours down from heaven above, through virgin forest crown.
And long last seen through haloed love, the weary heart lays down.
And long last seen through haloed love, the weary heart lays down.
Chorus:
I'll never break your heart.
I'll hold it as the fragile rose, whose petals ne'er shall part.
I'll never break my vow.
I'll hold fast 'gainst the ebb and flow, as strong then e'en as now.
I never will break down.
While crimson'd cataract course these veins, I'll stand upon my ground.
While crimson'd cataract course these veins, I'll stand upon my ground.
Red lips told me, "'Twill break my heart, if ever you take your leave.
Should worldly 'fairs tear us apart, fair Heaven forever would grieve."
Then place your trust alone in God, ne'er mindful of the rest.
While angels tread that hallowed sod, to you my love is blest.
While angels tread that hallowed sod, to you my love is blest.
CHORUS
And I never will break your heart.
This was written from the heart.
Never knew it'd come to this.
I don't know where to start.
Mama, your son gotta kind heart!
But every day, the world's telling me to play my part.
From a boy to a man, I had to transcend.
Like a pea in a pot, I had to grow up.
Never once complained when it's time to show up.
I've been scarred, betrayed, and left to fend for myself.
No one's fault but mine, for trust don't get you far.
So I've learned to keep my heart dark, like a tint up car.
And fight it by myself this internal war.
Sorry it took me so long to understand.
The world's doesn't cater for the weak.
That every man's battle is in their own hands.
Win or lose, you gotta stand strong.
And a man's tears are as worthless as a dollar coin.
The older I get, there's thing's I comprehend.
Like family can be your biggest hater, nothing like a friend.
And you gotta answer to God for every sin.
I apologize for not knowing this in the beginning.
APOLOGY
I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE
YOU EXIST
I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE
YOU BREATHE
YOU FEEL
YOU MAKE YOUR OWN CHOICES
I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE
YOU HAVE YOUR ONW POTENTIAL
YOU HAVE WILL
YOU HAVE ALL TEN FINGERS AND TOES
YOU STAND ON TWO FEET
YOU ARE BLESSED WITH INTELIGENCE
I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE
YOU EXIST FOR PURPOSE
YOURS TO SEARCH FOR YOURS TO RELISH YOURS TO LIVE FOR
I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE
THAT YOU HAVE INSIGHT BUT CHOOSE TO CLOSE YOUR EYES TO BLESSINGS
I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE
YOU ARE SACARED YOU ARE HERE
It was never my intention,
not a conscious decision,
to cause you any level of grief.
Our give and take wasn’t as envisioned.
Blindly, I let you fall between my gaps.
It’s not right or wrong, but fact that
I got lost in a thronged rhythm
recovering from things life had given.
You have always shone a warm light
selflessly bright into my life.
Stern storms drowned my content,
turned me until forlorn bent.
I pursued a healing renewal but
my drenched attempts were futile -
I didn’t mean to hurl you into my duel.
Please accept my sincere apology
for giving less than you handed me.
I’d never set out to hurt another
but denying friendship gratitude
colors me pallid shades of rude.
I apologize
For all the dandelion necks
I have snapped
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