Alone

Mist and shadow
Smoke and pain
Ashes and dust
Anguish and rain

Fear and uncertainty
Heart-rending grief
Constant stuggles
Stir up unbelief

Moments of quiet
Silent screaming
Unstable ground
Hopeless dreaming

Fractured lives
Shattered dreams
Leave behind questions
And ripped out seams

Moldy hopes
Left only to rot
Hearts broken open
Without ever a thought

Anger and sadness
Like a pendulum swung
Though the heart longs for gladness
It yet has found none

Days and weeks
Months and years
It continues to weep
Though it hides all the tears

Hidden in corners
Emotions run deep
Swept under rugs
They restlessly sleep

Put the mask on again
Hide the pain with a smile
Fool them into believing
It won't take a long while

Go back to "as usual"
Stuff it all back inside
Keep a brave face your rule
They won't guess what you hide

Stuff up the cracks
Hide your ashes and dust
Store broken pieces out back
Polish over the rust

Box up all your fears
Fan away all the smoke
Bottle up all your tears
So they can't see that you've broke

If you lock it up fast
Never mind it won't hold
Never mind it can't last
They'll believe what they're told

And only you'll know
Of the shadow and pain
Only you'll feel, alone,
The sting of the rain.



Written September 2012