the other day, I borrowed the face of a happy man,
it helped me get through the day, for that there's no doubt.
when outside, it didn't wash off, not even with rain
yet when I got home, it came off quickly, but not without pain.

I feel empty without it, a husk of a being,
and it gets harder to put on with each coming day.
it begins to feel stolen, no longer borrowed, it must be said,
I put on a brave face, whilst on the inside, I am dead.

I sometimes wish people would only know my true face,
I wonder if they would still like me, or think me a disgrace.
I wish I didn't have to borrow the face, to keep on going,
but I won't stop wearing it, to keep them from knowing.

time walks.
giant steps
carving
an absence,
a heart shaped
niche.

time walks.
rosary stones
ground
into nothing.
not an echo
nor a breeze.

I wish I could hear you;
Saying my name
the way I say yours,
with want,
with need.

Sometimes
I tend to forget
and become too careless;
I let my guard down
and let someone in
far enough
To break my heart

Each time
I tell myself
I will never
let it happen again

With each lesson learned
My armor strengthens
And I hope it’s hard enough
To not let it happen again.