and then I asked you,
"What's your biggest fear?"

you gave me a quivering sigh,
looked at me straight in the eyes
and said,

"It's that eventually, you will see me
the way I see myself."

I smoke **** just like you.
Money gives me greed just like you.
******* makes me wonder just like you.
My parents kicked me out when i was 17 just like you.
I died inside when i turned 13 just like you.
I saw life for what it was a 7 just like you.
I want to die everyday just like you.
I think about killing myself just ljke you.
I don't like money just like you.
I love the moon just like you.
I love the idea of love just like you.
Most important im not alone, just like you.

There is a story to tell.
I met a person.
There is much to tell.
Choked up emotions.

The person listens.
Reads my stories too.
Not only the intro,
but the whole thing through.

Tells me I am great,
when I know the truth.
This has to be fate.
Because it soothes.

Positive and,
Appreciates.
Hard work, effort.
Invigorates.

The person fills,
me with words.
When I am lost,
and I am slurred.

Hair so curly,
Maybe straight.
Not sure, did
not speculate.

Eyes brown,
maybe blue.
Come to think of it,
it is you.

What if life was played in fast forward?
Would you look more, out the window?
See the buildings, the missing trees?
The colors changed, painted in steel?
Focus on folds, beneath your cheeks?
Spend time with the once, called lonely?

What if life was played in reverse?
Would you redo things, differently?
Experience reality?
Change your lack of identity?
Free your mind of not feeling free?
Rethink responsibilities?

What if life was paused?
Would you be doing, what you are doing right now?
What is the first thing that comes to mind?
What about the colors on your brush?
Do you think that they are enough?
Are you still on the right track?

What if life had to be lonely?
Would you use your voice to speak?
Is there a reason to listen?
What rules would you want to create?
Would you understand heartbreak?
Would you bother to hit replay?

Either way we all reach the end.
But we write separate screenplays.
Decide our fate and how we blend.
And how we fast forward our days.

Hopefully we are not the same.
Get to use our voice and listen.
To lose ourselves would be a shame.
Or to move forward, not driven.

Remember, your life is in play.
And should not be thrown away.

I've made a few enemies.
the decisions that I've made.
You say you see a friend in me.
that's about to change.
I am not worthy of your kindness.
Im not worthy of your trust.
When people get close to me.
Things tend to blow up.

Why can't you see, we are nothing but enemies.
Haven't you heard, Im nothing but a bird.
You said you'd take a chance.
Don't waste it on me.
You said you'd take a chance.
But im begging you please...

Why can't you just leave me alone.
Don't nobody have to know.
You found a friend in me.
Why can't you please just go.
Don't nobody have to know
I tried to be more than enemies
Im just an enemy

People say what they want when they want, but yet somehow you know the truth.
The madness that surrounds me, yet somehow you always break through.
But this ain't right, yet somehow it feels so right.
Look what you've done.
You have managed to somehow get through.

Why can't you see, we are nothing but enemies.
Haven't you heard, Im nothing but a bird.
You said you'd take a chance.
Don't waste it on me.
You said you'd take a chance.
But im begging you please...baby

Why can't you just leave me alone.
Don't nobody have to know.
You found a friend in me.
Why can't you please just go.
Don't nobody have to know
I tried to be more than enemies
Im just an enemy

i’ve been thinking a lot
about your hand in mine
the way that our fingers
and palms intertwine

but i think about death
about loss, about worth
i admit that i fear
to return to the earth

where our bodies dissolve
into roots of a tree
and will grow into trunk
then limb, then leaf

but i've heard from a bird
that death will reverse
and your heart will beat hard
like it did at your birth

so hold on for dear life
with your hand in mine
if death makes us let go
it is only for time



© Mike Mortensen