They say we are not enough.
The people around us decide in our place.

We run too slow and pass too few,
It's not a distance in simple miles.
There's no time for peace,
No finish line.

Look at them who came to see,
They carry a whip, not a glass of mercy.

Don't be afraid and step off the track,
Leave the race, stop all the clocks,
No need to rush for finite stocks.

Walk by the seashore.
Let the waves hug you,
And wash your fear away.
Let all the noise dissolve in the sea,
This new life will set you free!

As she walks around, tiptoeing about,
Judging herself so filled with doubt.
Conform, compress, and pay the dues—
The audience smiles at the pointe shoes.

The air felt warm on a tightened chest,
Urgency excused the hurt she pressed.
Forced to step and leave a mess.

The stage creaked with every leap,
Cracked and crumbled, she let pieces seep.
When souls so kind are forced to break,
the warm air shakes in a state of quake.

Oh, am I the cause of these broken boards?
Or was it rotten wood no one restored?

Toes blistered where the thought fell by
The aching hush of silent cries.
The pointe shoes take their final steps.
She only wished to see the stage rest.

But still, the pieces kept on falling.
It was never her or even the crowd calling.
Oh, it was the rain above and warm summer air
That left the stage in a state of despair.

A soul no longer trapped by the crowd ahead
Or being the cause of the stages death—
Hearts move on to carry other burdens,
How will she think for herself with no more curtains?

Once all of the weights build up
And you believe that life is just a lie
Something which you've made up
The perfect answer to a broken mind
You'll sob, you'll punch, you'll kick, you'll cry
Because then you'll know you are nothing
Nothing but blind

The nervous flicker of the candle's light
Dances wildly in my glistening eyes.
Feeling the cold night's tight embrace,
I quietly watch as the candle burns away.

Then I glance at my own guilty hands,
Smoothest skin ending at bitten down nails.
While my frenetic heart slams against my ribs,
Loud and clear, over and over again.

I can't close my eyes
tears gather.
I can't breathe
the air is stuck.
I can't gulp
my throat is tight.

I try to plant my dream,
but land is
barren

Still, I try.
Even my conscience
mocks me.

In for four and out for eight,
Hurry up don’t be late.
Keep your cool,
You’ll be great.
But don’t forget to keep your pace.

You watch and learn,
Learn and watch.
Watching maybe,
But learning what?

In for four and out for eight,
Keep your cool then you’ll be great.

my chest tightens
and my mind races
I overthink every interaction
and where it all went wrong
maybe I'm reading too much
into it
or maybe you're distant
and it's my fault
I never wanted to rush you
and now
I've lost you

wing tips
tie clips
cufflinks every day
sorry ***
coffee run
meetings on the way

small favors
life-savers
rushing every day
long drives
sunrise
emails on the way

big-wigs
pack of cigs
problems every day
retainment
of ancients
cuts are on the way

clock ticks
lock clicks
pit stains every day
late nights
streetlights
baby’s on the way