November's Spotlight: Ciera Brocato

I remember my first day of work at Pualani Honolulu, a local swim suit boutique. It was the beginning of last summer, I remember being really nervous, since I was previously unemployed for almost a year. And I was intimidated by the other girls, who looked like swim suit models. A naturally beautiful, young girl introduced herself to me, saying her name was "Ciera." She automatically showed me the different styles,sections, and duties of the store. After conversing with her, I was put at ease by her warm welcoming. Although she was younger then I, she was very mature and held an old soul. I learned a lot from her, not just about the job, but also on her philosophies of life.

At the beginning of the fall semester I transferred to another job. Before I left, she told me that she was going to join a poetry club at her high school. I was so excited to hear that she was interested in getting involved with the poetry community. Last Friday, I attended the Youth Speaks Hawai'i Fall INTERscholastic Poetry Slam. Ciera had a solo performance to represent Kalani High School. Her performance was so beautiful! She was so poised, and delivered her message clearly. I am so proud of her, she inspires me so much!

photo taken by Tina Jo

"The Ultimate Drug"- Ciera Brocato

This is what you hear about in fairy tales
But unlike the pretty princess and her handsome prince there is no happy ending.
So while you’re reading “Once upon a time…” You’re the only one pretending
When I came pounding on your door you never welcomed me like you welcomed your sorrows
You’ll start your own silly game of hide and seek
Swear me off like a disease, like a godforsaken freak

I can play you like a puppet if you let me run the show
No, when, When you let me run the show.
Because it’s only a matter of time before I get a tight grip on your crippled mind
I’ll interlock my roots into your skull until I’ve sunken my teeth and I’ve gained full control
Your curiosity will have you questioning the rules of my game
So this is just a forewarning so I don’t take the blame, don’t give me the upper hand cause you won’t like where I intend to go
You can search hours for the map but I hid it so you’ll never know
I am what you fiend for in your dreams
But I’m the nightmarish monster behind the scenes
Watch out for when you give into my candy-coated charm you’ve let down you’re guard
You’ve let down your only arms
I’ll show you the best I have at first, hidden behind a mask I know is cursed
I will convince you that I am what is missing from your lonely life
Give you hopes to belong and release all your strife
I’ll tell you promises I don’t intend to keep, but I won’t bat an eye when that darling face begins to weep
With tears that burn with fire as they drop
There’s no plumber you can call to make the waterworks stop
I’ll build a cozy home within the dimensions of your restricted heart
If only it were as simple as push-to-start
I have hidden tactics up my sleeves, I’m irresistible if you just believe.

You begged for me, so I came.
Delivered straight from Cupid’s bow, I shot you down like the animal you are.
Aimed directly for the organ fastened to your chest
Jagged arrow tips with the most lethal poison I could get
You’re the greatest victim I ever had the pleasure to infect
Tranquilized you like a fool, as you sat mesmerized by the sheer force of my blast
Saying “this is the first for me and I swear it’ll be the last”

I am the ultimate drug.
The unshakeable addiction you fear, but never drop
If doctors could withhold me in a bottle, like clockwork, you’d take me everyday
Because it’s the only way you get high anymore.
First kisses captured in capsules, bottled and sold for that oh so sweet high
You’ll be soaring with the eagles I’m going to make your visions fly
I’ll take my candied lips and devour your soul
You’ve given me the spotlight, so I’m just filling in the role
You’ll be running non-stop with infatuation
Giving in to the lies behind admiration
I’ll be the crack whore sold off for your sick and twisted addictions
You can guess the course your life would take, but it’ll never play out to your predictions.
Like a placebo I’ll be whatever you wish me to, if you believe in me.
And trust me, you want to, so you will.
Swallow life down, get your ups with just one little pill
While dopamine slithers out through your brain it produces a similar high to that of cocaine
Cravings kick at you like the nicotine in your deathly cigarette
I’ll leave you paranoid, jumping at the creeping dance of your own silhouette
Vulnerability is dangerous, but it’s the only way I’m embraced
You can talk all the trash you want, but I’ll never be displaced

Downing from any high is sure to hit hard
Leaving you crumbled and emotionally scarred
I’ll leave you with broken organs and shattered ambitions
Bet you never thought that when balancing with your sanity there’d be a few unlikely conditions.
I’ll leave you blinded by the downs cause you’ve been way too spoiled by the light
You’ll try hard to kick the feelings, but you’ll never win the fight.

I am a universal law of truth.
Inescapable by all means, where I stir the ingredients of the souls of all human beings
You can place me above the clouds with Zeus and Apollo
Where empty hearts become filled that were once thick and hallow
I am an unbreakable immortal, with the strength of earth on my back
I make up for all the good that this world tends to lack.

I am love, and I cannot be defined.
And although dictionaries may try
I refuse to be confined by 26 scrambled ABC’s because I’m far more complex than people may believe
And although it takes only four letters for my creation, I am four letters that never lie.
There’s no silence to my “E”, I made it simple so you could try.
I am love, and don’t you just love me in your life.

Ciera is more than just a model, she is also a gorgeous poet,

Deanna