Outside, Inside

by Jennifer-Crystal Johnson

On the outside, I smile.
I socialize,
I laugh,
I have a good time…
And most of the time,
It works.

On the inside, I cry.
I worry,
I wonder,
I feel hopeless and afraid…
And most of the time,
It hurts.

On the outside, I sing.
I am strong,
I love,
I’m determined…
And most of the time,
It works.

On the inside, I mourn.
I contain,
I maintain,
I cage anger and fear…
And most of the time,
It hurts.

On the outside, I dance.
I’m alive,
I ignite,
I focus on the pieces
That haven’t been broken.

And you know what?
Most of the time,
It works.

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Jennifer-Crystal Johnson is originally from Germany, but was raised all over. She has published one novella under her former last name, The Outside Girl: Perception is Reality (Publish America, 2005 – this will be out of print in 2013), a poetry book, Napkin Poetry (Broken Publications, 2010), and a collection of poetry, art, and prose called Strangers with Familiar Faces (Broken Publications, 2011). Her poem, Yin & Yang, was featured on Every Writer’s Resource’s Poem a Day site. One of her short stories, The Clinic, has been featured in Jack Meets Jill, and her short horror story, The Huntress, has been featured in Zombie Coffee Press. Her poetry has appeared in various anthologies including Theatre of the Mind (Noble House, 2003) and Invoking the Muse (Noble House, 2004). She currently works as the Managing Editor for Phati’tude Literary Magazine published by the IAAS, freelance writer and editor, and is working toward a degree in creative writing. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her 3 kids and four cats. Her annual domestic violence anthology can be found at www.soulvomit.com and her publishing company is Broken Publications: www.brokenpublications.com. As of January 1st, 2013, a new literary magazine will be published every 2 months, beginning in February. The site is still under construction, but the magazine will be titled Chronicles [insert story here]. Her author web site can be found at www.jennifercrystaljohnson.com.