As the monarch advanced
And drifted toward the sea
I sat on the dune observing
And selfishly thought---
"What about me?"

With wings that rode the wind
This creature who ignored
All warning
And needful sign
Weathered blast of ocean's spray
All witnesses deaf as I implored

Born of a trusting nature
Which pained me entirely
To the silent masses I say
As a person, as an organism---
To finally admit aloud
That I am not okay.

I suppose
to you
I've become
something of a joke
so pardon me
if my punchline is showing
avert your eyes.

Give me a spoon
cut me loose
we shall see
what holds more weight
my stature---
or my resolve.

Knowing you exist
makes me breathe easy
seeing you struggle
and suffer the same as me
I am ready to admit
that your needs truly
now--- far out weigh my own.

There so many questions
that my daughter brings to life
it is overwhelming
yet, endearing
I have tasted pain
not wishing her to know
comprehend,
or understand it
these emotions
have always threatened to end me
so do not blame me
if I will not forward them
to your address
my daughter, in this life
I want to answer truthfully
but walk the edge of an answer
as carefully as I would a knife.

Broken toys
don't sleep at night
they sit in corners
and stare with one good eye
wondering, collecting dust
quiet rejection
turns to mistrust
with dreams just as broken.

There is no need
for cattle to understand
they do. they live. then die.
cast not pearls before swine
neither mine nor thine
serve them inferior supply.
let them eat cake.
live then die.
it is not necessary for cattle
to understand the ways of life
nor curse of being man.