A pinprick prods at the weary old soul,
flickering above and beyond its grasp.
Laughing and cursing, it digs up the pain.
Ripping and tearing, 'til we lose control.

Silence, then whispers, weary photographs.
All imprinted, all pressed against the glass.
Begging me to reach forward, take a look.
And in my grasp, the pain begins again.

Walk past with your roses painted purple.
Go on down with your drum and a prayer.
Who cares what they'll probably say or do.
One hundred thousand moments of pain,
and this one darling, this one chose you.

Fire and whispers pour down your spine
as you taste the salt upon your fist.
Mops and boiled milk and crows take you back
Oh my lord what are you going to do?
I suppose you'll know, so go, take your cue.

Bring me out back with a gun in your hand.
Dreary Jack stapled down to the pavement.
Cocked and loaded, smoke pouring out the frame
his head rolls gently, resting in the sand
in an instant that life came and it went,
you reloaded, looked at me, and took aim.

What is life if not a lie?
A beautiful fairy tale?
A sunrise on Winter's day?

I look in the mirror
and a devil looks back,
a stone-faced testament to the dead.

As flame licks the boots
and the noose pulls taut
I end this poem with one final thought

What is life if not a lie?
It is loving, laughing, and waiting to die.

Pin the faceless inside the bazaar
with my identity etched by your blood.
Let the world bow beneath the fox-toothed grin
swallow your fears and show pride to the stars
please remove the porcelain mask from the mud
wash it, wear it,  move on from the past's sins.

Allow the citizens to gasp, so awestruck
by the beauty of this strong unity.
Kissing the feet, lepers cured by this strength
The impoverished weeping at their sheer luck.
You show them the potential of humanity
and we are at peace, the joy knows no length

But alas a dream is a dream they say,
so for now in your pocket we remain.

I do not fear death, I fear losing life.
I fear the sparkle fading from your eyes.
I will not return to the velvet grey,
I will nurture, and further grow this flame

I sit here with your hand in mine
as you doze peacefully
and once again I understand
What it means to be in love