I've withdrawn into myself                                                         hiding  within  a fragile shell                                                            ­  Smile  until it hurts my face                                                             ­        Maintaining, mask still in place                                                            ­  Sometimes I think others can see                                                              ­        the cracks that are part of me                                                                          I  tell everyone that I am okay                                                             ­ foundation covers my dismay                                                           ­   As  I  blink back hot tears                                                            ­         raise  my glass and say cheers                                                           ­                     I'm  a master of disguise                                                         ­                   that  even  I don't recognize

The world is trouble right now                                                              but we  have to make it right somehow                                                         It's  so easy to just bow down                                                             ­ when  everything is falling all around                                                       Plant both feet on solid ground                                                           ­    get  ready for a second round                                                            ­           Two wrongs never make a right                                                            ­ we  have to stand and put up a fight                                                  People  rioting  in  our streets                                                    all  in  the  guise  of  free speech                                                           ­    Innocent children are dying every day                                                     as  the evil are  having their way                                                  But  our  faith  gives us the hope                                                             ­  and  the strength to cope                                                             ­                    God  is humbling us                                                               ­                            it  is in him we must trust

I made a heart wrenching decision today                                                            ­                                              It's  more  painful  than  mere words can convey                                                           ­                                            My  dogs health has started to decline                                                          ­      I'm  lovingly sending her where rainbows shine                               With  tears of love falling down my face                                        I'm  flooded with memories I wouldn't replace                                             Waves  of grief wash over my broken heart                                                            ­                                         leaving  her behind will be the hardest part                                                             ­                                                         Tonight  will  be our  last night at home together                                                         ­                                          after  that  my life will be changed forever                                                          ­                                       Her  toys,  blankets ,beds and sweet memories                                                         ­                                            is  all  I'll  have  when  I  return to welcome  me

You  view  my kindness as weakness                                                  that's  a  reflection of your bleakness                                                        ­ You hate my ability to show my light                                                            ­ while you live in the darkness of night                                                             Envious of my endless empathy                                                          ­ It's  easier to be disparaging                                                      ­          I  continue to stand my ground                                                           ­ I  am  genuine  and rootbound                                                        ­               As  your jealousy rises and peaks                                                                     I  will  turn the other cheek                                                                 I  pray  that  someday you'll find                                                             ­              your very own peace of mind

Does anyone say thank you anymore?                                                         ­     Or is everybody just keeping score?                                                           ­      You do one for me, then I'll do one for you                                             whatever happened to just being true?                                                           Kindness can be shown so easily                                                           yet a thank you is said less frequently                                                       ­ Open your heart and express gratitude                                               Respect  the gesture that's been given to you

So, that class in anger management                                                      that sounded a little extravagant                                                      ­        that  you threw around like an accomplishment                                                   ­                                while  it  ended up being an embarrassment                                                    ­                                                You   still  get  aggressive   when  angered                                                   ­    Your heart is still black as cancer                                                           ­          You still sulk like a petulant child                                                            ­           I know, I got those memories on file                                                             ­    You tell anyone who believes you                                                              ­         that you've had some miracle breakthrough                                                   But I have learned to walk away                                                             ­              I ignore your immature displays                                                         ­         I  am no longer trauma bonded                                                           ­ I will  no longer remain haunted                                                          ­    I   used  to  feel  sympathy  for you                                                              now  I  know I  was  being abused

I have watched you in action                                                           ­                  trying to provoke a reaction                                                         ­                  whether it's positive or negative                                                         ­                  The lengths you will go to                                                               ­                are  more than enough proof                                                            ­    that  this  is beyond manipulative                                                     ­               Caught up in your lies , you deny                                                             ­ like  I  should believe and comply                                                           ­ Your  arrogance is unparalleled                                                     ­        You  project views of perfection                                                                   to hide your fear of rejection                                                        ­                       while you put everyone through hell                                                     But  you still don't get it yet                                                              ­        you're  just a textbook narcissist                                                       ­              and  nobody is really impressed