My life is a cassette tape
that is playing in a tape deck
in the middle of nothingness
under a single light bulb that keeps on flickering
threatening to go out any second

The songs are the stages of my life
the beginning of the mix
full of soft melodies and light harmonies
peaceful and careless
with a hint of minor chords
as all songs should have

I have progressed through Side A
containing a mix of songs that have been
progressively getting slower
softer
sadder
each song more so than the last
And as I approach the end of the side
I become scared
for if the songs go down this current path
I might not ever reach Side B

I have hopes for what the next side contains
Songs with hopeful notes
and delightful rhythms
but if I fast forward
I might miss where I want to be
and if I rewind
I would eventually wear out the tape
and every now and then
with the current songs
I'm tempted to stop and eject the tape

But my favorite song is coming up
and eventually
if I keep listening
and be patient
I'll make it
this song in particular  has a hint of hope
in the form of a new light
that I can hook up
over the tape deck

Maybe this mix won't end as bad as I think it will
maybe if I hit play
I'll be okay
I just hope
that this light will be there until the end of Side B.