I lay awake to meet the day,
Beyond the warmth of sleep's belay,
For I have demons yet to fight,
That dwell within the dark of night.

The moonlight brings me no relief,
As silence questions self belief,
For I have demons yet to face,
More deadly than the human race.

I stay awake to meet the dawn,
Where nightmares can no longer spawn,
For I have demons in my head,
That make their home beside my bed.

The dawn light slowly inches near,
At last to save me from my fear,
For I have demons in my heart,
Unable now to play their part.

I may awake to meet the sun,
Some day with all the fighting done,
For I have demons long deceased,
And none remain for then at least.

The new light will bring peace within,
A blessing to my worried kin,
For I have demons in my past,
And darkness cannot truly last.

The time is short and fading fast,
to be all we can be,
to reach our true potential,
or face obscurity.

The time has come to make a choice,
to choose the path ahead,
to brave a new horizon,
or play it safe instead.

The time is now to take a stand,
to put fate to the test,
to face a greater challenge,
or let the matter rest.

The time is here to live at last,
to lay claim to the prize,
to seek a higher purpose,
or never more to rise.

Never be me,
No- cannot be true,
I’d always persisted in making it through.

Never be me,
No- nothing like this,
I’d always assumed it would be a near miss.

Never be me,
No- something is wrong,
I’d always insisted that I was more strong.

Never be me,
No- just a mistake,
I’d always had faith that my will would not break.

Never be me,
No- beyond belief,
I’d always resisted the fear and the grief.

Never be me,
No- let me rewind,
I’d always imagined I’d be left behind.

This season is for unity,
A time of hope and light,
When all the world forgives the wrong,
As day gives way to night.

This season is for charity,
A time of love and life,
When all the world sings in one voice,
And prays to end all strife.

This season is for family,
A time of joy and cheer,
When all the world is one with love,
As we close out the year.

I am me,
A force unknown,
A weapon forged or rather grown.

I am me,
A unique soul,
Not perfect but still in control.

I am me,
A different beast,
A complete person now at least.

There is a place within my mind,
A haven where dreams never die,
A home I hope to some day find,
A moonlit castle in the sky.

When darkness reigns upon my life,
I’d go to where the clouds roll by,
A land free from all pain and strife,
There in that castle in the sky.

Should danger ever come my way,
I know where I would choose to lie,
To hide until my final day,
Within this castle in the sky.

For now I’ll watch the fading sun,
And smile through every tear I cry,
To rest at last when this is done,
Here in my castle in the sky.

I’ll never break a record,
Nor lay claim to first prize,
But still I try to wow the crowd,
And not be who they despise.

I’ll never be a hero,
Nor lead the winning team,
But still I fight for all I have,
And dare at least to dream.

I’ll never own an island,
Nor claim an ancient throne,
But still I feel a richer man,
And treasure love I’ve known.

I’ll never cure a malady,
Nor stop the world’s decay,
But still I know I’ve done some good,
And helped in my own way.

I’ll never be a movie star,
Nor run for City Mayor,
But still I strive to be someone,
And silence each naysayer.

I’ll never climb Mount Everest,
Nor fight in some great war,
But still I hope to make my mark,
And live forever more.

If I could live a thousand years,
I’ll never find another you,
For no one else that I could meet,
Will make me feel the way you do.
    
If I could cry a thousand tears,
I never would get over you,
For no one else could fill the void,
Nor make up for all we’ve been through.
    
If I could best a thousand fears,
I’d still be scared of losing you,
For no one else will take your place,
Within this heart that still beats true.

And so the curtain closes on another mortal year,
the shadows still fall close behind but light stands ever near,
staring deep into the void of all life’s hope and fear,
we smile for all that’s yet to be and those we hold most dear.

For though the sun soon sets upon the times that have gone by,
the dawn will bring another chance for each of us to try,
to change the world around us as we gaze towards the sky,
And be the best that we can be and never let love die.

So let the clock tick down the time towards the final hour,
Worry not on what's ahead and do not hide or cower,
Make your future plans with all that lies within your power,
Build a new life rich in love to be your cherished dower.

The mask I wear today will be my face for all to see,
The smiles that I show will cover up the real me,
The sorrow and despair I feel will never be revealed,
The truth that I can never speak shall ever be concealed.

The mask I wear today is not the same as yesterday,
The secrets that it hid were not so hard to keep away,
The worry and the shame I feel were not what I had planned,
The truth that eats away at me much more than I can stand.

The mask I wear today will not be the last I don,
The scars that it protects will never heal as time goes on,
The horror and the fear I feel will follow where I roam,
The truth that overshadows me is all I can call home.

The mask I wear today is the only me that you could know,
The face that lies beneath holds nothing that I'd want to show,
The cold and dark I feel will stay forever in these lines,
The truth that each one holds is what this bleeding ink confines.

The first span started peacefully,
Her world the perfect dream,
Though as the days wore on,
Life soon ripped at the seam.

The next span was more challenging,
Two worlds that shared one soul,
Darkness fighting light each day,
As she tried to keep control.

Another span soon came and went,
This world she grew to hate,
An outcast to all but a few,
A chance that came too late.

The best span started miserably,
Her world a living hell,
Though soon she found all she could want,
True love to share as well.

The span that followed shook things up,
Two worlds often at war,
A time of claimed or wasted dreams,
Though life gave her the score.

A span of hope and life renewed,
Her world reformed in flame,
Each challenge faced til none remained,
And none forgot her name.

This span will shape the days to come,
The world still in her sights,
So much unknown and yet to prove,
To stand or falter in the lights.

As each year passes down the line,
We fail to heed each warning sign,
Forever doomed to work this mine,
Enslaved by chains of our design.

The future lies ahead to find,
Alas our eyes are stricken blind,
No hope to leave the dark behind,
Caught in the maze within our mind.

As time wears on we all must tire,
Hands and heads both still perspire,
Each dream we hold lost in the fire,
Frustrated souls caught in the mire.

Once more we all must play the game,
As fingers point out who to blame,
Deflecting guilt at each new name,
With no remorse and without shame.

As shadows shift and faces change,
We think back to a time less strange,
Before life had to rearrange,
A fantasy we can't derange.

The days ahead are far from sure,
As words and deeds are seldom pure,
With age we still are not mature,
And luck will never be the cure.

The nights go on eternally,
The days seem far too short,
The sunrise far too late to halt,
The demons that I court.

I hear their voices in the dark,
Their silent call to arms,
They whisper softly in my ear,
And play upon my qualms.

The love I hold within my heart,
Is all that keeps me sane,
The truth that this in time will fade,
Yet more for them to gain.

These fears I thought long conquered,
Played out for me each night,
Reveal a past I cannot change,
A future far from sight.

As this year ends we breathe a sigh,
And look towards a brighter sky,
The days ahead are ours to share,
With those for whom we love and care.

As this year ends we will not mourn,
For those that will not see this dawn,
The times we've shared will ever last,
No matter what the die may cast.

As this year ends another starts,
And though we may have heavy hearts,
The new day will bring joy once more,
Despite what else might lay in store.

As this year ends we'll rise above,
To focus not on hate but love,
The good we do is where truth lies,
Not what is seen through jaded eyes.

11 years ago today,
A husband travelled miles away,
A wife went on with one more day,
And no one thought much either way.

But on that day you changed the scene,
A mother started looking green,
A father rushed from where he’d been,
Though late you now seemed super keen.

11 years ago you see,
We never knew who you would be,
How you would change your mum and me,
Nor that we’d now be just us three.

For on that day when you were born,
The world we knew was ripped and torn,
And though we both were tired and worn,
A new life started that next morn.

11 years ago we knew,
That all we’d do was now for you,
To feed, and love, and keep you true,
To teach, and learn from all you do.

So from that day we made a vow,
And kept it from that day to now,
To show you when, and what, and how,
Your new world will and won’t allow.

11 years ago you came,
You changed the rules of every game,
So nothing could remain the same,
And all would soon know of your name.

Now from that day until this one,
You’ve grown and learned through pain and fun,
A journey barely just begun,
But we take pride in all you’ve done.

Happy Birthday, Evelyn!

A picture speaks a thousand words and words can paint a scene,
Alas when put together they are often stuck between,
For beauty in a work of art need never be defined,
Nor should the deepest words be shaped or in a frame confined.

This is but my opinion though it has been shared by some,
That words alone should be enough for poets yet to come,
For images can set a tone not found within the verse,
As words in turn change context and more often for the worse.

It is a modern folly to combine these works of art,
As in so doing meanings change and truth will fade in part,
For each must take its audience into a private dream,
Where they can seek what meaning their own heart and soul can gleam.

So heed my call dear poets and refrain from present form,
Allow your work to find a voice within the growing storm,
Your ink can tell a story without need for sketch or picture,
And you in turn will better write without this ill thought mixture.

The heart is very fragile,
In many different ways,
Forever taking damage,
As we go through our days.

The heart has no religion;
Nor an ideology,
It has no moral compass,
Just a need for empathy.

The heart is very special,
A treasure to behold,
A gift we share with caution,
A risk saved for the bold.

The heart may be a riddle,
Wrapped in a mystery,
A puzzle too complex to solve,
Unless you hold the key.

Today I look back on the years,
the canvas of my hopes and fears,
each stroke another memory,
that shaped who I have come to be.

With each new layer the image clears,
the final portrait ever nears,
the image of my inner self,
displayed for all upon life's shelf.

Through the years the colours change,
some bright strokes fade to dim the range,
but for each dark there is a light,
and in the end all will be right.

So now I'll go on with each day,
content that I will find my way,
in time to share this work of art,
the true reflection of my heart.

By 1am I dread them,
As the world around me dreams,
The worries of the day consuming all of me it seems.

By 2am I sense them,
And the peace of sleep is lost,
What little respite given me is now too high a cost.

By 3am I hear them,
All the voices of the past,
Each whisper in the darkness of a life that could not last.

By 4am I feel them,
My dark mind their bitter cage,
They roar and scream within me as my panic fuels their rage.

By 5am I see them,
Every shadow that I’ve cast,
Now closing ranks around me though I hold my ground steadfast.

By 6am I face them,
As the world around me wakes,
Weakened but prepared to live no matter what it takes.

We’re searching for a new life,
Hoping for a change,
Wishing for a miracle,
Feeling like we’re strange.

No matter how we may feel,
Or what may come our way,
We’ll keep on moving forward,
With each and every day.

We’re taking up the challenge,
Breaking every mould,
Keeping our momentum,
Striving to be bold.

No matter what we may see,
Or where the road may lead,
We’ll keep on making progress,
With every noble deed.

We’re building for the future,
Fighting for some peace,
Dreaming of a new dawn,
Desperate for release.

No matter where we end up,
Or how the world may end,
We’ll keep on getting better,
With each new twist and bend.

We’re standing at the impasse,
Waiting for our turn,
Planning for the new world,
Sharing all we learn.

No matter who we become,
Or when the day will be,
We’ll keep on making changes,
With every chance we see.

Love knows no true boundary,
Nor does it need a name,
It has no care for history,
Nor will it suffer blame.

Love gives all for honesty,
All secrets must be known,
For those that have integrity,
May reap the bounty sown.

Love calls for no property,
Nor gifts to play its game,
It has no god or reliquary,
Nor has it need for fame.

Love provides a sanctuary,
A home away from home,
Regardless of geography,
It follows where we roam.

Love asks no eternity,
Nor offers up the same,
It has no immorality,
Nor does it make such claim.

Love confers indemnity,
Acceptance of past sins,
For truth and self in synergy,
Is where true love begins.

Souls are formed before our birth,
Sent down to live with us on earth,
Brought from the void into the light,
Instructed in both wrong and right.

Souls unite with skin and bone,
Our mind designed to be their throne,
Directing us throughout our life,
Connecting us through joy and strife.

Souls will share the things they know,
With those that learn the way to go,
Their gifts will shape the world we see,
Creating all we’ll come to be.

The past weighs heavy on my mind,
Its shadow ever close behind,
A presence never hard to find,
Its power renders all life blind.

The present takes a constant hold,
Its grip imprisons young and old,
A nightmare dark and ever cold,
Its bitter song plays loud and bold.

The future floats just out of reach,
Its lessons cruel and hard to teach,
A distant dream we all beseech,
Its promise lost in mortal speech.

This cloud of words hangs over me,
Each one a bitter memory,
Their dark embrace all I can see,
A cold unbroken symphony.

This sea of words that swallows me,
Each one a glimpse of destiny,
Their venom-soaked monotony,
Repeating for eternity.

This swarm of words engulfs my soul,
Each one a sting of lost control,
Their poisoned blades on dark patrol,
Collecting on their ****** toll.

This web of words within my mind,
Each one a glimpse of days behind,
Their light not for one of my kind.
A happiness I'll never find.

This storm of words from dreams unknown,
Each one a love where hate has grown,
Their force and wrath so quickly shown,
Will leave me some day on my own.

Real music is emotion,
Raw feelings from within,
A glimpse into a dark soul,
Exposed with every spin.

Each song is a reflection,
Of secret thoughts and dreams,
A story with true meaning,
Between the words and screams.

Deep lyrics are addictive,
A drug we must consume,
They cling to every dark note,
That calls us to our doom.

Each melody is sacred,
Despite what chart it tops,
And we will sing the chorus,
Until the music stops.

We smile to show a feeling,
We smile to be content,
We smile with no believing,
We smile to hide dissent.

We work to make a living,
We work to have a life,
We work with no exempting,
We work to hide our strife.

We sleep to start the healing,
We sleep to end the day,
We sleep with no forgiving,
We sleep to hide dismay.

We dream to search for meaning,
We dream to find an end,
We dream with no deceiving,
We dream to help us mend.

We wake to set a new course,
We wake to a fresh start,
We wake with no more remorse,
We wake to a cleansed heart.

Staring at this blank page,
Such a contrast to my mind,
The emptiness of one all that the other wants to find.

Putting pen to paper,
Once brought a pure release,
What freedom it still offered though at some point had to cease.

Ink was my catharsis,
My therapy for life,
This escape in each line now just another bitter strife.

Could there be another,
Some new way to relieve,
I cannot bring my heart to hope or soul to dare believe.

Darkness is yet growing,
No will to keep the fight,
My time is fast approaching to give in and face the night.

Peace was not my calling,
The page not meant to turn,
And so this chapter closes with no hope of return.

The law is there to guide us,
To cover every sign,
To serve and to protect us,
To keep us all in line.

The law is not a question,
It stands in black and white,
It cannot be rejected,
It always shall be right.

The law alas is fallible,
So often proven blind,
So hard against the downtrod,
So weak on the refined.

The law may be amended,
It can be changed in time,
It could be more supportive,
It should prevent real crime.

The law is what we've made it,
A source of pain and woe,
A daily chore to live with,
A blight on all we know.

The law is not omnipotent,
We have no one to blame,
We all must share the burden,
We all must bear the shame.

There's a gap in my thoughts,
A piece I can't find,
A loneliness eating away at my mind.

There's a void in my arms,
A space I can't fill,
An empty embrace that's making me ill.

There's a hole in my heart,
An ache that won't heal,
A sorrow inside that I can't help but feel.

There's a scar in my soul,
A cut far too deep,
This nightmare too real to be kept to my sleep.

Picture the future,
Picture the past,
Picture the present,
And hope it will last.

Pray for your loved ones,
Pray for the lost,
Pray for your freedom,
For all it has cost.

Follow your own dreams,
Follow your heart,
Follow a new path,
And live for your art.

Don't dwell on the bad times,
Don't cling to the pain,
Don't give up your chance,
To be happy again.

Life is not torment,
Life is not woe,
Life is your canvas,
And the world needs your show.

The cloak we wear surrounds us,
And keeps us out of harm,
It clothes and it protects us,
From every fear and qualm.

Yet as it keeps the world out,
It holds the darkness in,
A cold embrace that spreads out,
And scars our broken skin.

Once donned it won’t release us,
A captive in our mind,
It keeps our feelings from us,
Impossible to find.

Rushing ever forward,
Running out of time,
Moving ever faster as the stress and panic climb.

Never far from chaos,
Nothing safe from change,
Making rash decisions as the goals all rearrange.

Always overthinking,
All for something more,
Missing out on moments just to even out the score.

Hopelessly unsettled,
Heartlessly unchaste,
Marking every happiness as steps to be retraced.

So much left unspoken,
Still more to be done,
Mourning what could not be in the web this life has spun.

Time to make a difference,
This must find an end,
Meaning cannot be found til the past is left to mend.

If the dark inside still calls you,
And the light inside goes cold,
Will you try ignore the summons,
Or just let the beast take hold?

If the heart you hold still beats strong,
But the love you feel grows weak,
Will you give yourself to save it,
Or just hunt that which you seek?

If the life you live feels empty,
And the truth cannot be faced,
Will you fight for all that could be,
Or just let hope be erased?