Patricia A. Banks

Kinston, North Carolina, USA

Patsy wrote her first poem in high school after the tragic death of a friend and clasmate, the local paper The Marlon Advertiser published it. Currently Patsy works as a truck driver and hopes to have a book of her poems published before the end of the year. "It is so very true that you and I are not promised tomorrow so before your name is finally called in Heaven above do all the things that you love."

In My Heart You Shall Always Be

Three years ago you took a journey in which I could not follow you. For most of my life I was your shadow, you were my hero. You were the physical embodiment of all the qualities that define the most precious endearing attributes a mere mortal can process.
You could always make me laugh, even when life gave us a bitter kick in the teeth.Which on many occassions it often did.
You were my best friend, my confidant, my cheering section when things went right. You stood by me when my world turned upside down, and others fled.
When you walked this Earth there was never a day I felt alone or unloved. Even at my worst you were always there for me. You really were so much more than just my mother, you were my friend. Above and beyond that you paved a beautiful road of life for me in which I could follow all the days of my life and never lose my way. You used only the best materials to build this wonderful road of life for me.
You used gold so fine and pure that the light of the unconditional love
you gave to me, always radiates back to lighten my spirit to the point that even without wings I can and do fly. You used diamonds so polished and perfect that they sparkle with the memories of all our laughter and smiles shared together. You used iron forged with unearthly strength developed over many years of hardships that you and I shared together and the many battles that fate threw at us that you and I fought together, side-by-side always as a team. The iron you and I forged together is so very strong that when I must call open it, it will always help me find the inner strength to walk alone, wihout you.
The final raw material you laid upon my road of life is the light supplied by the colorful rainbow hovering above my road that lighten and show me the way that I must go. Rainbows full of the lessons and wisdom you gave to me when you and I travelled this world together. As long as I live you, my beloved mother and dearest friend of all shall live laughing, singing, and dancing in my most inner heart...

I Don't Anymore

What happened to us, you and me? You were my closest friend once.
You were my knight in shining armor. It was to you I gave all I had to
Give, my heart, my soul, my body. Why did you change and try to change me in the process?
When did our love turn to hate? when did we abandon our friendship and walking side-by-side facing lifes battles together, to facing each other as enemies on a battle ground of our own making, and desiring to see each other bleed and hurt?
When did "I do, "become" I don't anymore?" When did I cease being your wife, lover, and best friend and become an object to the beaten and abused both mentally and physically?
When did you decide you hated me wo much that you had to cheat on me, trade my arms for those of another womans? Was it when I carried your child, or were you always that way and I just did not see?
Whatever the answers may be to the questions that once plagued me does not really matter anymore. For you see our relationship is nothing more than a bitter memory now, for much time has past and my bruised and battered heart is no longer within your abusive, and very unworthy grasp...