snap, snap, snap

Inadequate

For a mere second, on the top of the world

Couldn't be happier

Until comparison

sweeps all that bliss up

Leaving empty accomplishments

Far away ambitions

Unfinished success

Hard work

Perseverance

Meaningless

None of it matters, not good enough

Negativity, takes over

A smile

so easily forgotten

Aspired perfection

Unattainable

Unreasonable

An impossible nirvana

full of empty promises

Life without direction

Yet

Each step taken

Every choice made

lead to one moment

Not good, not bad

But real

You

In natures glory

Anything but helpless

Whomever

you choose to be

Stopping, no longer an option

A light inside flickers

to hope

Original, unique

None quite like

You

reason enough to smile.

Words by Danielle E. Alvarez, Photos by Danielle & Kate O.