I fell in love once.
I fell hard, and I fell fast, and my parachute didn't open before I hit the ground.

And boy, did I hit it.

You took my breath away.
And when I suffered from asphyxiation you refused to give it back.

You gave me a smile, and I gave you everything I had.

You were my life, and I was your crutch.

You were horrible, nasty, broken, and… Beautiful.
And I loved every part of you, even the bad ones.

You said your final goodbye more than once, but I couldn't bring myself to close that door. It was always open, and I was always there waiting.

Every day I watch you from my doorway, even though it hurts to keep myself there. I’m stuck.

I’m stuck in that doorway, every day. I’m stuck forever waiting for you to turn around and come home.

My love doesn't obey time.
My madness doesn't know reality,
And my consciousness...

My consciousness sits somewhere
    In the middle of the ocean,
       On a raft,
          Smoking a bowl.

              And every time I ask it to come back it just says,
               "Nah, man. It's much better out here."


My heart doesn't listen.
My brain can't lead,
And my life...

My life ends every twelve months.
With each new year, I start over and live through an entire lifetime.
        Condensed,
          Compressed,
            But still just as heavy.


My reflection doesn't know it's me.
My thoughts don't know when to stop,
And my soul...


My soul is ever growing, helping me learn from my mistakes.
With it I'm able to reach out and truly change things.
          Holding,
            Grasping, and
                Solidifying immortality.

I told the frog on my dashboard that I loved him.
I told the vulture on the fence, "I'm sorry."
I told the jackal on my tail I didn't need him.

And I made it through all right.

I told the sharks goodbye forever,
I told the wolves that I'd be back.
I told the flamingos they were beautiful,

And I walked on into the night.

I told the rats that I forgave them,
I told the strays "I understand."
I told the songbird "I'll stay here a while"

And I've since regained my sight.

I met god once,
In a puddle on the sidewalk,
And he said something profound, but I forgot to listen.

I saw the devil once.
At midnight by the sea,
And he asked me to dance, but I didn't know the music.

I've swam through sin,
On cold nights in the dark,
And it's asked be to stay, but I've got things to do.

I've tasted blood,
On my lips from another's skin,
And we scratched surfaces, but left deeper cuts within.

I've lost my thoughts,
Taken away by a strong breeze,
And I searched for them, but I'd rather let them go their own way.

I've been absolutely nothing,
And everything at all,
And god I've wanted to stay, but new homes keep calling me forward.

Hope can be the last flame from a dying lighter,
And on some nights nothing shines brighter

But on a clear night a flame can be seen from miles away,
And I've been the one holding the candle, so believe me when I say

It gets better. It has before, and it always will.
Even if your life is at a complete stand still

Don't blow out that light, you'll need it to see
That things are exactly where it needs to be.

Ignite your soul with it, keep your eyes open.
You don't always know when you'll see that hope again.

The boy who rode atop misfortune's wing
Now finds new ways to start moving ahead.
What luck could never give you love will bring,
And from old mistakes new ideas are bred.

There will be days those storm clouds just won't clear
And you dwell on mistakes that you have made.
Just smile at the thunder you can hear.
Be grateful for the clouds that brought the shade.

There's a peace after every hurricane.
An appreciation for what's not lost.
And though nothing will ever be the same,
You can't help but look back at what was tossed.

It's all right to look back at what you've done.
But remember to walk away-- Not run.

Optimism can be hard when you’re alone in the dark

When you’re at the lowest point in your story arc

You might try to find a window, but you’re surrounded by walls

So you stay awake at night, pacing the halls

You wish it could be fiction, you hope it’s all fake

But this is your life, and the choices you make

Your story’s written on thin lines with red ink

It’s about time you fixed yourself, don’t you think?

You can’t play healer to all these broken souls

You've got your own blocks and plot holes

So put down the silver and pick up the pen

Your story’s not over yet, it’s time to start again.

You told me your name, and I forgot how to respond.

I was far too busy watching the way your lips moved when you spoke.

You smiled at me, and I forgot how to breathe.

You were like gold in the bottom of a ***** creek, glittering among the rocks.

You held my hand, and my heart forgot to beat.

I was in a dream, caught up in the magic of you and me.

You spoke to me, and I forgot how to live.

You made me feel like you commanded the stars.

You showed me a new life, and I forgot how to be myself.

I was stuck living only to please you.

You took my everything, and I forgot how to love.

I was broken, and you stuck your fingers between the cracks and pulled.

And I opened my eyes to take a real look at you.

Those perfect lips held lies and broken promises.

The gold turned out to be a shiny piece of metal, trying to make itself stand out.

The magic was nothing more than a trick on my eyes, and you did your very best to conceal it.

You didn't command the stars, because they were too far away to hear you.

I started living for myself and god, did you hate that.

You hated that I could always put myself back together and stand up to you.

But what killed you the most, was when I broke my dependence on you.

Because then I was finally able to stand up and walk away.