Justifications fall

from your mouth like shrapnel

truer to yourself than any other cares to be

because inside you know

they lack the power to truly see

see you as you are

not a person, not a punching bag

in silence listen carefully

and take another drag

forget their reprimands

the world is so unkind

just a little more to go

but the blind shall lead the blind

take another hit

conceal yourself in flame

to gain the strength to end it

aren’t you tired of being to blame

no more nightmares, no more shame

dust off your shoulder

clear the cobwebs full of pretty lies

no point in standing up to fight

with a haze of smoke behind their eyes

pulse pounds and ears ring

venom spews, coagulates

deep inside an empty useless thing

but joy fades forever more

just to mimic sunshine

on a desolate shore

a bed of lies no more goodbyes

watch as hours pass and an entire lifetimes flies

by too quickly, then it is gone

denials voiced and truths unspoken

those who bleed but live unbroken

trading diamonds in for seashells

just to feel a part of something

larger than themselves

Is this how spirits feel

Fading in and out

To remain as phantoms still

Forever trapped in spaces

Too small to take a breathe

Endlessly awaiting

A cold and careless death