You poisoned my brain with your rage-filled words
your hands struck me with your greatest strength
you ceased to live and I was born

the venom your mouth spewed at me
the mayhem your hands inflicted upon me
drove me to the top, past your hatred and despair

you defined yourself through me
sought to thrive by throttling my spirit
because I was more worthy of life than you will ever be

I survived you because I let you go
purged my anger and reached indifference
you are nothing, nothing, nothing without me

But I will always be my greatest achievement
the fiercest battle, the most glorious victory of my life.

©’07 Anja Hartleb-Parson

I love the profoundness of you eyes.
I love the honesty of your smile.
I love the forcefulness of your body.

I love the acuity of your mind.
I love the integrity of your words.
I love the softness of your lips.

I am the depth your eyes scrutinize.
I am the aim your smile proclaims worthy.
I am the object your body seeks to protect.

I am your benefactor,
your recipient,
and your destination.

I want to be engulfed by you,
overthrown by you,
feel you inside of me.

You are the wizard and the magic tree.
You are my own Self realized.
You are my greatest Love.

©’07 Anja Hartleb-Parson

If you try to invade me I will conquer you
If you try to fight me I will crush you
If you try to destroy me I will turn you into dust

I will not give without compensation
I will not take without trade
I will not love or hate without just desert

I am born without guilt
laughing at fear
selfish in spirit

there is no suffering except the kind I choose to bear
there is no happiness except the kind I choose to achieve
there is no life except the kind I choose to live

I am the strength
I am the vision
I am the hero
I am the creator

I am the man of mind.

©’07 Anja Hartleb-Parson

I do not view those greater than I as my enemies to be conquered and destroyed but as my teachers to be learned from and admired. For they have achieved and I still strive, for they reflect the values which I hold highest to the fullest extent and I must observe and understand how to do the same in my quest for moral perfection of my self for my self, which love for my life requires. Heroes may be worshiped, but one must never lose sight that such worship can only be true and good if it is a response to one’s highest values. I do not admire the unattainable but that which is to be realized by oneself.

©’07 Anja Hartleb-Parson