I can’t go back to that place
Was it only two years ago?
It’s so empty and cold--
My heart cringes at the nostalgia.
Everyone appears so happy and involved.
I sit in the corner and watch them absently.
There’s a person sitting across from me.
Her eyes are wide and blank
The color from her skin is gone.
I wonder if she is a ghost.
My eyes focus on her and I see them stare deep into my soul.
The face becomes puzzled.
I slowly stand up and walk towards her.
She puts her hand up to mine.
I feel myself escape to the other side.
The ghost is now where I used to be.
She walks back to where I was sitting and stares at me.
I realized then I was trapped once again--
Trapped on the outside looking in.
Nothing but a reflection of who I used to be
Who I should be.

Darkness is lurking,
I dare not shut my eyes.
I cannot bare the images any longer--
The screams, the loneliness, the failure.
I feel the resistance of my eyes
With every blink, a new flame is added.
The burning never goes away
And is only fueled when alone;
Damaging me from the inside out.
The flame grows hotter,
Flickering to the frequent cries.
It’s only a matter of time
Before it consumes me alive.

I fell to the ground after the harsh blow.
I felt him come to me and hold my hand.
I began to tremble from the cold snow.
He put my hair back in a rubber band.

He said he loved me and begged me to live.
I felt my breathing grow near to its end.
My hand tightened around his to forgive
The wrong we have done to only defend.

I could hear the ringing of the sirens.
I could feel his tears of pain on my arm.
He kissed my hand and sobbed my name, Karen.
He still had that irresistible charm.

I soon drew in my last beckoning breath.
I saw the light and met my tragic death.