Typing on my tiny typewriter,
I’m an incorrigible plotter.
Color splashes onto the page,
Green, coral, orange, and beige.
A story burns in my heart,
Tearing my soul apart.
My story grows from a small seed—
I wonder where it might lead.
It grows higher, taller, stronger.
I can’t hold it in any longer.
Let it grow! Let it grow!
Let the current flow!
I toss all my dreams into the deep-blue sea,
Expecting to create waves like a tsunami,
Rippling emotions throughout the earth,
Triggering sorrow, joy, and mirth.
But instead, plunk!
And boy, it sunk.
I throw it in time after time,
Until all my hopes are coated in slime.
I trudge home muddied, tired, and sore,
Feeling as if nothing matters anymore.
I stash away my pencil, paper, and pen,
Vowing never to touch them again.
My rejection becomes dejection,
But God turns that into a redirection.
I realize He didn’t give me hands and feet
For collapsing onto a pillow in defeat.
Instead of saying goodbye,
I decide to say, “Try.”
Remembering the biggest dreams start small,
I’ll get up no matter how many times I fall.
Mariposa Aristeo is a writer of fantastical adventures filled with heart, humor, hope, and sometimes dinosaurs. But, most importantly, she’s a creative who seeks to glorify God on every page of her life.
Besides writing snarky characters who sass everybody, Mariposa loves bringing stories to life in full color as a freelance artist. She also enjoys inspiring other creatives as the Public Relations Director at Story Embers and the Social Media Manager at the Young Writer’s Workshop.
Her writing escapades include being a finalist in the ACFW First Impressions Contest and a semifinalist in the Realm Makers Aurora Contest. Her fantasy retelling of The Prince and the Pauper, Sons of Day & Night, releases November 2025 from Enclave Publishing.
Known affectionately as “Mari” by her real-life found family, she enjoys hanging out in local coffee shops, watching Disney films, and telling people that a pterodactyl isn’t actually a dinosaur. Connect with her and grab a free copy of her steampunk retelling of The Invisible Man at her website, or catch up on her writing shenanigans on Instagram.
I absolutely love this poem. <3
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😊
Beautiful
Thank you! 🙂
I am obsessed with this!!! 😀 I love it! <3
Aw, thank you, Jen! ❤️
AMAZING!!
Cute new photo, btw (=
Thank you so much, Serenity! 😊
It’s so pretty and colorful and true! Thanks for writing this, Mariposa. <3
Thank you and you’re very welcome, dear! 🤗🤗🤗
This is so fun! Very true! I often feel like that. 🙂 I loved the line that states: “I realize He didn’t give me hands and feet For collapsing onto a pillow in defeat.”
Aw, thank you, Katherine! 😊 Sometimes I feel like giving up, but writing about my emotions helped me to realize I needed to try, try again. 🙂
Really like the colorful illustrations that go with this! Thanks for the poem!
Thank you and you’re welcome, Andrew! 😃
*coughs* I’m afraid the graphic for the poem is actually a photo, not an illustration. 😉
Oh, sorry if I confused you.
I thought the poem and the illustration in it was colorful. 🙂