I used to shine
but now I know,
I’ll never get back
that perfect glow.

Little man
that I’ve known
since before
he was an inch grown,
now his frame
is withering
and I can’t stand
to see him hurting.

I used to see
and really believe
in the power
of human dreams,
hope reigned
here supreme
but now
nightmares
fear my screams.

Bone thin
scabbed up skin,
and I am not certain
if this is just from
anxiety and self-starving
or if he is **** medicating.

Life is a patch
of black ice,
is the eternal
night,
is the wrong
that won’t
turn right,
is the pain
grown from
delight.

I want to reach out
and give him a hug
but there is a part of me
that is scared to touch,
there is fear but
is there some disgust
hiding under
the loving stuff?

The day will fade
from blue to gray
and then see
light betray
kind warmth
to the cold eve.

I used to be
a better me
but now I think
I live selfishly,
turn my head
and walk away,
instead of dealing
with this person’s pain.

I used to shine
but now I know,
I’ll never get back
that perfect glow.