so ****** doomed, destiny defeated
we need what we please, not what is needed
searched for something new and never succeeded
we even said please and begged and pleaded

there can't be no doomsday deleted
we cheat each other, it's we who are cheated
more reckless reasoning is repeated
can't stop the cycle, nearly completed

Swallowing dejection
The throat is throbbing
Fog is appearing
And smoke is covering
A reclusive setting
With no more company

An obstinate mind
Eyes set on you
Batty and insane
The color turns blue
Wasted feelings
Drunk off tears
Minimal breathing
The end is near.

I said, "I'm done"
You heard, "Fight for me"
I said, "It's not working anymore"
You heard, "Let's fix this"
I said, "You hurt me"
That was all you could hear
You said, "Don't leave"
I heard, "I took you for granted"
You said, "I can change"
I heard, "It'll be this way in two weeks"
That was all I heard as I packed my things
I said, "It's over"
You heard, "I'm going to my mom's to think"
I said, "Good luck, I hope you can be happy"
You heard, "I'll see you tomorrow"
I said, "Goodbye"
And you finally showed an emotion and cried

Today I tried rubbing out some thoughts I had written down and I managed not to damage the paper. But, the words were still there, etched in my mind, and erasing them only made me remember them more. Now, I am sure they are stuck there forever and the paper will be misused again.
'If I erase everything in my head, does it mean I will lose my mind?'
(Gerry Aldridge ©2016)

Death: A restful sleep, when you don't bother to get up.

Let's just face it
we're all living a lie
thinking we're something
but eventually we'll die

we'll be forgotten
buried in the ground
or burned down to ash
and scattered all around

Waves of sadness keep roll over me
Unshed tears stings my eyes, can't see
Life is looking so grim
It has me standing on the rim

One foot balancing on the razors edge
Other foot over the ledge
Looking down into the silent abyss
Falling forward, leavening behind all of this

That is my sweet hidden dream
Some of you will know what I mean
I'm tired of the waging war, the constant battle
Being herded along like cattle
One catastrophe on top of another
Until they pile up and smother

I can no longer breathe
My anger just seethes
I can no longer be
Will anyone see
I can no longer stand
Please someone take my hand
I'm about to snap
There'll be no coming back

There will never be another you.

Nothing has ever been more true.

This is fact like gravity, real like the sun.

No one can undo the damage done.

There will never be another first love.

And with one word the final shove.

I am now in free fall.

Grasping aimless at the wall.

I have never known a life without you.

And I find I am terrified to.

For too many years you have been my stone.

And now comes the time for me to atone.

The most tragic end there could have been.

My heart is now fragile like an empty tin.

Two souls supposed to be joined.

They're separation now officially coined.

As my ring was placed upon her finger.

The last remnants of me no longer linger.

I feel as though I should hit the ground.

But then they would all know the hell I've found.

I was supposed to be over you and me.

But I find it was the only key.

I am now locked out from who I used to be.

Facing tomorrow without the love I wish to see.

So goodbye, love of my life.

I hope you find happiness with your new wife.

Returning with saddened hopes
Brutally realized
That it was me. One-sided.
Unfortunate mistaken kindness
For something deeper.
Like the withered and dried
Pressed petals you gave me
Once fragrant now fragile;
Simply lost in memory.
The collection preserved
Between salt water stained pages
Of handwritten poems never shared
Composed in sleepless moments
On sand underneath
Weeping palm trees.