The Weight

I’ll help carry the weight

Of your fathers crown

Through love and hate,

When you feel like you’ll drown.

During good times and bad,

You’ll always have me.

When you’re happy and sad,

When you want to fly free.

I’ll help carry the weight

Any day or night.

Breakdown that gate,

So the sun can shine bright.

I can always find you,

Even in the dark.

When you’re down and blue,

I can be your spark.

I’ll forever need you

More than you need me.

It’ll just be us two

Running wild and free

As from the pages of a book

Emerging from the fray

We’ll stand upon a cliff and look,

Look to a bright new day.

 Brendan Knapsack is a student at George Mason University and an aspiring writer. He has numerous publications in the school's literary magazine Volition. He is from Eastampton, New Jersey and is currently studying in Madrid, Spain.

The Bells

Arise! For the bells have rung.

The war is over, the choir's song has sung,

Stand and stretch your weary bones.

Open the shades, and turn off the phones.

The sun is shining, the clouds have gone away.

The grass is growing,as the trees begin to sway.

Arise! For the bells have rung.

For the start of a new day has begun.

Stand and open your tired eyes,

Step outside and look to the bright blue skies.

Winter is over, it won’t return too soon.

Go enjoy the warmth of a beautiful summer noon.

Always remember the feelings of today,

When you’re dreaming in that bed where you lay,

Of the times when everything was good.

I really, really think you should

Look out as far as you can see,

Look out and behold eternity.

 Brendan Knapsack is a student at George Mason University and an aspiring writer. He has numerous publications in the school's literary magazine Volition. He is from Eastampton, New Jersey and is currently studying in Madrid, Spain.

Reclaiming Joy

In the shadow of silence, a melody stirs,

A laugh long forgotten, but still, it recurs.

The sun kisses scars where the darkness once lay,

And whispers, “You’re worthy of light every day.”

The smallest of sparks ignites a new flame,

A dance in the rain, unburdened by shame.

Each step feels unsteady, yet stronger it grows,

A rhythm of healing that only you know.

The weight you once carried begins to take flight,

Unveiling a world painted golden and bright.

Joy isn’t loud; it’s a soft, steady beat,

A hand reaching out, a heart that repeats:

“The pain you have weathered won’t dim what you’re due,

For joy, fierce and quiet, belongs now to you.”

Porter Pfrenger is a 26 year old poet and writer from Arkansas. He lives with his two partners, their two kids, and an amount of animals on a small homestead. Outside of writing, he enjoys crocheting and singing Broadway musicals with his family.