Times are tough, people rough
Struggle to maintain
A sense of normal.
A kind of place where grace
Is the highest trait
That we take and try to make it
Seem so normal.
~ Patrice
© Patrice Clarkson – 2018


I feel the magnitude of it all
It shoves the good
The bad in my face
Making distinctions none at all.
I cope, I handle
Sometimes overwhelmed
One foot in front of another
I struggle and demand.
To have a life
A role in this universe
My little section I can love
That no one else can command.
~ Patrice
© Patrice Clarkson – 2018

Crusades of magnitude bringing forth attitude
Not seen since the life of you
Brought heart to a tortured world.
Bring it here, bring it near
Then we’ll see who needs
Who cares and who will succeed.
My transient dear show no fear
Show life filled with strife
Maybe struggle and tremendous gratitude.
That’s when you’ll live
When you’ll die and the rest of us
We will surely cry.
~ Patrice
© Patrice Clarkson – 2015


The drinks go down
In the hummingbird feeder
As the sun warms the sky
Grass blows on a breeze
Destined to bring rain
To the evening’s brilliant blue sky.
All seems right
All seems as it should be
No sight of anger
Or struggle to combat.
Just a spring day
Over coming all that.
~ Patrice
© Patrice Clarkson – 2013


I struggle with what I know
I struggle with life
A life I don’t know.
I struggle with honour
And a love to keep
Close to my heart.
I struggle never to weep
Or be lost in the depths
Of someone else’s heart.
I struggle here
I struggle there
Not knowing where to start.
Yes, I struggle
I do so struggle
Here within my head and heart.
~ Patrice
© Patrice Clarkson – 2013

I drink my coffee
I sip my tea
I struggle in the morning
Just to be me.
Then in the afternoon
It all becomes clear
Salvation from questions
I have no answers to
No answers for
Those I hold dear.
As night settles in
And my heart quietly rests
I see I’ve been tested
And survived with the rest.
~ Patrice
© Patrice Clarkson – 2013


I struggle here today
In a deep and dark moody way
Anger wells up within
Stepping on a smiling grin
Bringing frustration to the fore
Please go away
Be here never, no more.
Nothing more to say
Try to shift my mood away
From darkness, anger
And all that stuff
To where the sun shines
Clear, oh so bright
And I can be an endearing part
Of whatever hits my aching heart.
~ Patrice
© Patrice Clarkson – 2012