Good afternoon, morning, evening, day, or night reader. :) I hope you've been taking time to try to make those around you smile! While I'm not ready to break down my absence in full force (full disclosure, don't know if I'll share the story in it's entirety), I will give you a shortened down version....burning the wick at both ends...
I've kept myself very (like extremely very) busy the past few months and it's been draining and a distraction from dealing with too many things that I've put off for too long. 
One of the things that I've been getting back into lately is writing poetry. It's just a great way to get thoughts, words, and feelings down on paper and provides me a creative outlet. I've written another one today and thought I would share it on here because if I'm not going to do a 'legitimate' type of post, I might as well share my brain nuggets of creation. :)

Empty Space
By: Jordan A.

Do you ever feel drained
Relationships strained
Emotions can't keep up
Can't even explain

Empty space in your mind
Searching your soul to find
The sparks, where have they gone
Fake smiles keep others blind

Empty space in your soul
Cup never feels full
Days dragging on and on
Darkness's allure a stronger pull

Empty space in your heart
Any second could fall apart
Holding on by a thread
Hasty decisions aren't smart

Empty space in your being
Logic blind, heart not seeing
The struggle for positivity
Striving for something freeing

Suddenly a break in the clouds
Silence broken, thoughts out loud
A sliver of hope, a glimpse of peace
Commitment to better myself, I vowed

"Hello reader! I am not about to address my absence. I'm not ignoring it, but I will not be talking about it during this post. I wrote a poem that I wanted to share with you today instead. 

Living a Lie
By: Jordan A.

You smile because you're happy
Or at least you're supposed to be
Laugh to cover the pain
Bury your emotions, no one can see

Can you imagine what they'd think?
If they knew about the demons
Test the waters, just a glimpse
Shit...too much? Hide the feelings

A storm is brewing
Pressure building by the hour
Distraction no longer working
What a fucked up superpower

Can't ask for help
Refuse to be a burden
Confide in no one
Hurricane of uncertain

"You okay?" that damn question
Pray no one asks
Never able to hold it together
Kindness the kryptonite of my mask

Tears build like Legos
Vision clouds with betrayal
"You need a hug?"
Nice rips away my veil

Niagara falls from my face
Façade is shattered
Strong no more
Ego, that baastard

Couldn't last forever
Living a lie
Existing at witts end
Soul shrieking "Why!?"

How does one exist in such agony
Wrestling thoughts, feeling, and experience
Distorting life, living false realities
The most underrated character trait: resilience