The price of validation
was another burden tossed
into an already overflowing bucket.

What I thought was finally
an understanding colleague,
was really another culprit.

Visibility in vain.
Validated then victimized.
Verity as vituperation.

A fellow victim?
No,
a famished vampire.

A ruthless predator
wrapped in a pleasant pretense.

You collect sunlight and
swallow it down,
like it's tylenol.

You feel a lot more real
in my dreams, than you do
in my arms.

The ashtray keeps overflowing
Why won't you
replace it?


                
                     There is a fine line
                              between
                      courage and fear



With you, it's always been
sink, then swim
burn, then crash
leave, then love.