Forgive

Perfect Stranger

Closest Friend

I smell it on you

The indiscretion

The hidden agenda

Let's have lunch, you and I

Talk music and film

Let me pour out my emotions on the table, like spilled milk

Allow the sound of the careless drips echo in both our minds

I remember your head tilt

The way you replied with the verbal tone of an infant

Thinking this a clever disguise for sincerity

Nasal and mocking

Patronizing and gross

This was a sound I once trusted in?

Did I used to find that endearing?

Was this once a love language between us?

Such a deceiving sweetness

I'll never forget

And why would I want to?

It taught me much

Your bag of tricks

The looseness of your lips

You stole what was already discarded of

Bravo

The empowerment you must feel

But you are just a nobody girl

Too blind to see that no one even looks up when you enter a room

Nobody wins here

Only gains

You gained a lifetime of questions

Insecurities

Silent sufferings

I gained freedom

From you

From him

From them

But perhaps I am mistaken

Maybe there needs to be more loss

Because I don't ever really feel free

Perhaps I can lose my devastation

My bitterness

My burden

My stomach full of knots

Your physical form has not been needed to drag you around the way I have

Everyday, I hear your voice

I see your face

I replay your lies over and over and over in my mind

I question how I could have not seen what was really going on

And judge myself

Harshly

Relentlessly

Unendingly

My cheeks flush with anger

My chest sinks with embarrassment

Years have gone by and I still feel it everyday

You were a coward

You were not my friend

You used my brokenness to gain something for yourself

And you did it with no conviction 

But I know my freedom from you comes

Only when I let go of it all with a whole heart

So I forgive you

And now...you truly lose me

 Battle

Acrylics on Canvas

Artist:Kate Hart

Female Judas

I was never Christ

Not as pure and without sin

But I loved you

Fully

Sincerely

You smiled and laughed with me

Broke bread

Drank wine

Betrayed our bond for nothing

Literally nothing

He was never worth 30 pieces of silver to begin with

Your guilt may never hang you

But the secrets behind your door will

You stole only from yourself

Gained nothing real

Lost everything that ever was

Female Judas

Stapled tummy

Opened legs

Closed eyes 

Twisted heart

You invited the demons in

They can be your friends now

Knots
Acrylics on Canvas
Artist: Kate Hart

Splinter

You

A tiny shard

Instant relief upon your removal

Why didn't I dig you out a long time ago?

First Place

The only person you fool is yourself.

Spotlight shines bright on your intentions.

Little coward in running shoes.

The world turns without you,

And has,

And will.

When you reach the finish line,

What trophy awaits you?

First Place Fool

Congratulations ...

Eye of the Storm
Mixed Media
Artist: Kate Hart

Grateful

He struck my face with dirty fists

Stained with selfishness and spite 

She stabbed my back with a dull jagged blade

All with a smile on her face

He screamed into my ear

Shit filled delusions of superiority

Wreaking of greed and immaturity

I stumbled over my own bad judgment

Shifted through the thick fog of disappointment

I abused my own temple

Cut deep into the pain

Purged to cope with the rejection

Closed my eyes and prayed for the end 

I grew weary of this dark place 

It's monsters

The way they feed on naive trust

Wear well crafted masks

Prey on bleeding hearts

My impression of love...

Always a motive

Always a paralyzing word

Enjoyment on their faces as they pull the strings

Of us lowly puppets

Twisting and knotting us up

Until we are useless 

Hanging in limbo from our gullibility 

You found me broken

Clinging to the comfort of empty space 

You cut me free 

Carefully untwisted the ropes and knives

Lightly kissed the bruises of my mind

Stared directly at the scars

And called me beautiful

You stationed yourself to my side

And have not moved

You carry my baggage with grace

Your kindness drowns the voices in my head

Your gentleness seals my wounds

Your touch soothes me, where others left me shaken 

Your words comfort me, where others left me feeling small 

You have the nerve to ask me why I love you like I do?

I never even knew what real love felt like until you found me

It had only been spoken

Never shown

Everything I thought love was

You proved wrong

I am forever grateful

Story of Us
Mixed Media on Wood Canvas
Artist: Kate Hart

Friend or Enemy?

A foggy haze named sadness

Invites itself in

Takes the seat closest to mine

I can smell it 

Bitter and musky

I cut it off before it can speak...

I don't wish to converse. 

Don't ask me questions, please...

YES, I am heart broken!

NO, I can't fix things!

YES, I'm aware it's too late!

No...

The doctor says there are no medications for this type of pain. 

No treatments.

Not even a street drug.

Regret is an eternal diagnosis. 

I'll save a seat for you tomorrow.

In Limbo
Acrylic on Canvas
Artist: Kate Hart

Move

Reanimate.

Swallow the failures and journey on.

Limbo is not a place to reside.

Time passes regardless,

Doesn't wait,

Is steady and faithful,

To leave you where you stand,

Not able to care less if you join the movement or not.

Your voice is stale. 

Eyes empty.

I try to look behind to find you.

I'm watching the image of who you were get smaller and smaller.

I have to keep going.

I can't wait for you to live, 

And I can't watch you die.