With his hands on his
ears,                                                            ­                    
                                                                ­                                                        
he tries not to
hear,                                                            ­                                        
                                                                ­                                                        
as the voices cry
out,                                                             ­                               
                                 ­                                                                 ­                      
in his head fear
sprouts                                                          ­                                    
                            ­                                                                 ­                         
You can sense his
frustration,                                                     ­                             
                                                                ­                                              
without knowing the
situation                                                       ­                                                                 ­
 You can see he's suffering
inside,                                                          ­                                              
                  ­                                                                 ­                               
and it makes me want to
cry                                                              ­                                      
                                                                ­                                                
Teary eyes and a smile on his
face,                                                            ­        
                                                        ­                                                            
he says that he feels out of place                                                            ­                                                                 ­   
 Urges me to want to pull him in                                                               ­                                                                 ­                                                                 ­                                       
   try to give him strength
within                                                           ­         
                                                                ­                                                
Many years of pain, lived again &
again,                                                          
­                                                                 ­                                                   
as we both pray for it to go
away                                                             ­                               
                                                                ­                                        
knowing it has yet to
end                                                             ­                                                       
                                                                ­                                                    
So fragile is he, yet as strong as can
be                                                               ­     
                                                                ­                                                    
   you want to love him eternally                                                        ­  
                                                              ­                                                
Sweet, gentle giant innocent as a
child                                                            ­  
                                                                ­                                                
  with a perfect disposition and a weary smile

It is so easy for you,                                                             ­                             
                                   ­                                                                 ­                    
to crush my self-esteem                                                      ­                                
                                ­                                                                 ­                                   I wish I didn't love you,                                                             ­                           
                                                                ­                                              
because I know you don't love me                                                               ­                     
                                           ­                                                                 ­          
You aren't who I thought,                                                         ­                     
                                           ­                                                                 ­              
I guess I've been blind,                                                           ­                                 
                                                                ­                                                
bruises heal & I forget,                                                          ­                                         
                                                                ­                                                
 how it affected my mind                                                             ­           
                                                     ­                                                         
Being punished for the past,                                                            ­  
                                                                ­                                          
whether it was my fault or not                                                              ­            
                                                                ­                                                      
I thought our love would last                                                             ­       
                                                                ­                                                  
but I settled for what I got                                                              ­      
                                                          ­                                                        
You take all that I have,                                                            ­                  
                                                                ­                                                
want me at your beck & call,                                                            ­              
                                                  ­                                                              
then tell me I should be glad,                                                            ­            
                                                    ­                                                              
I'm getting anything at all

I am not a writer, I 'm a prisoner in my head,                                              
                                                                ­                                          
compelled to think, to write, what is being said                                                             ­       
                                                                ­                                                
Feeling too much, it comes pouring out of me.                                          
                                                                ­                                            
bleeding onto pages, demons exorcised from me

Tell me, how does it feel to be,                                                              ­                  
                                              ­                                                             
  swimming in your toxic
acidity                                                          ­      
                                                          ­                                                            
An entire ocean of
negativity                                                       ­                                       
                         ­                                                                 ­                            
and you're in deeper than six
feet                                                             ­   
                                                                ­                                                
Trying to throw shade on
me,                                                              ­                                
                                ­                                                                 ­                 
  while I stand in my divine
energy                                                           ­                       
                                                                ­                                                
  Knee deep in your karmic despair,                                                         ­               
                                                                ­                                                  
  will you go anywhere from
there?                                                           ­     
                                                                ­                                                
  Have you learned any lessons at
all?                                                            
                                                                ­                                                  
  Will you drown or will you
fall?                                                            ­        
                                                        ­                                                          
  You always fear of being
judged,                                                          ­                  
                                              ­                                                                
  you'd rather have a ******
smudge                                                           ­           
                                                     ­                                                       
Staying hidden in your
disguise                                                         ­                       
                                         ­                                                                 ­    
starting with a foundation of lies                                                   
                                                                ­                                                
Clap back, you only get what you give                                                             ­                             
                                   ­                                                                 ­                
as I'm finding a better way to live

You breathed life into my heart when it was deflated,                                          
             ­                                                                 ­                                        
you changed my mind even after it was jaded                                                            ­            
                                                    ­                                                              
You gave me a reason to get up every day                                                              ­              
                                                  ­                                                                 ­   
and you showed me love all along the way                                                              ­
                                                                ­                                                      
You taught me how to laugh & be
myself,                                                          ­          
                                                      ­                                                                
­ you showed me the way out of my shell                                                            ­                                                                 ­           
                                                     ­                                                           
Who am I kidding? you changed everything                                                       ­ 
                                                                ­                                              
When I'm with you I feel like a queen                                                            ­    
                                                                ­                                              
  Before you I was alive but not living,                                                    
     ­                                                                 ­                                      
  you've accepted me since the beginning                                                        ­        
                                                                ­                                              
   When I feel down, you lift me up                                                            
                                                                ­                                                  
  and shower me with beautiful love                                                             ­ 
                                                               ­                                                                 ­
I often wonder where I would be                                                               ­           
                                                     ­                                                                 ­  
if you had never loved me

Some wounds never heal,                                                            ­                          
                                                                ­                                                      
that would require me to feel                                                             ­                           
                                                                ­                                                          
I cover the cracks outside,                                                         ­                                           
                     ­                                                                 ­                            
build my walls so high                                                             ­                 
                                               ­                                                                 ­      
My little secrets unrevealed

Like a butterfly, my heart
flutters,                                                        ­        
                                                        ­                                                          
when you're around, it works
harder                                                           ­           
                                                     ­                                                             
When you're away, it goes into
arrest,                                                          ­          
                                                                ­                                                
loving you has put my heart to the
test                                                             ­                         
                                       ­                                                                 ­          
Can't breathe easy when you're not with
me,                                              
                                                                ­                                                    
can't see straight & I can't think
clearly                                                          ­                                      
                                                                ­                                                  
  Just one call from you & I am
  okay,                                                         ­           
                                                                ­                                                        
  I get obsessed with you more each
  day                                                           ­                       
                                                                ­                                                  
  You are the drug that feeds my addiction                                                        ­              
                                                  ­                                                                
­ The only remedy to cure this affliction

Someone told me to write what you know                                                  
                                                                ­                                                      
but I'm not sure that is the way to go                                                               ­           
                                                     ­                                                                 ­
All I know is heartache and pain,                                                            ­                      
                                                                ­                                                  
when writing it out, I'm reliving it again                                                            ­              
                                                                ­                                                        
I'd rather write poems about someone else,                                                            ­          
                                                                ­                                                        
to take some of the heat off of myself,                                                          ­              
                                                  ­                                                                 ­ 
to escape to a world full of fantasy,                                                         ­                 
                                               ­                                                               
where no one even resembles me                                                            
  ­                                                                 ­                                                     
I want to write of love and tenderness,                                                      ­                      
                                                                ­                                              
about someone who knows happiness                                                        ­                
                                                ­                                                                 ­       
I want to write about someone breaking free                                                  
          ­                                                                 ­                                           
 of all of the problems plaguing me                                                               ­   
                                                                ­                                              
That's where I want to be

Open up, let it in,                                                              ­                                    
                                                                ­                                                      
  feel it under your skin                                                             ­                           
                                     ­                                                                 ­        
Observe the beauty of the Earth,                                                           ­                   
                                                                ­                                                        
let it give your senses birth                                                            ­                  
                                                                ­                                                  
Allow yourself to feel,                                                            ­                
                                                ­                                                                 ­   
help open wounds to heal                                                             ­         
                                                       ­                                                           
Learn how to forgive,                                                         ­                                     
                                                                ­                                                        
let yourself live

Have you ever held on to a love you know is already gone?                            
                                                                ­                                                        
Are they all you think about when you hear a certain song?                                    
                                                                ­                                                  
Have you ever reached out to an empty bed at night?                                                           ­                     
                                                                ­                                                      
Just to feel the repercussions of always being right                                                
                                                                ­                                                      
Did you ever breakdown because you miss them so
much,                                    
                                                                ­                                                  
have you ever closed your eyes to remember their touch?                                        
                  ­                                                                 ­                                   
Do you ever wish that you could reverse
time,                                              
                                                                ­                                                        
change everything that has happened, make it all
fine ?                                       
                   ­                                                                 ­                          
Have you ever sat alone in an empty room,                                        
                                                                ­                                                
with pictures & cards that say, ''I love
you?''                                                           ­           
                                                     ­                                                         
Have you ever had such a badly broken heart,                                                    
      ­                                                                 ­                                             
you don't know how to begin or know how to
start                                                  
                                                                ­                                                     
 It happened to me, I must confess the
truth,                                                           ­       
                                                         ­                                                         
my broken heart is the ultimate proof                                                      
                                                                ­                                                      
If there's something I can say to help
you,                                                    
        ­                                                                 ­                                           
It's to thrown yourself back into loving
you                                                    
         ­                                                                 ­                                      
Toss away those things that remind you of them,                                          
                 ­                                                                 ­                                    
it's the best way for you to start living again                                                
                                                                ­                                    
Remember how beautiful you can be,                                                              ­                  
                                              ­                                                                 ­ 
take the time to find the "real me"                                                      
       ­                                                                 ­                                          
Get up, get out, go with your
friends                                                          ­              
                                                                ­                                                
soon you'll find your hearts on the mend                                                          
  ­                                                                 ­                                                   
 If you ever find yourself in love
again,                                                           ­     
                                                                ­                                      
remember always being right can make that end

I don't love who you
are,                                                             ­                       
                                                                ­                                                        
I love who you used to be                                                               ­                                                     
                                                                ­                                                      
 I keep hoping that not too          
 far,                                                            ­              
                                                                ­                                                      
  that person is still
  lurking                                                       ­                               
                                 ­                                                                 ­                        
   I get a glimpse now &
   then                                                             ­                             
                                   ­                                                                 ­                 
 that keeps my hopes
alive                                                            ­                        
                                        ­                                                                 ­               
I keep on wondering
when,                                                            ­                  
                                              ­                                                                
you'll tell me he's
arrived                                                          ­                            
                                                                ­                                                
Every once in a
while,                                                           ­                           
                                                                ­                                                    
he shows himself to
me,                                                              ­                                            
                    ­                                                                 ­                                       
in a look or a smile                                                            ­                                                    
            ­                                                                 ­                                           
and it is so reassuring                                                       ­                                                               
                                                                ­                                                  
but those glimpses are so few                                                              ­                              
                                                                ­                                                      
  it leaves me questioning                                                      ­                                
                                ­                                                                 ­               
  Why do I stay with you?                                                             ­                             
                                   ­                                                                 ­              
What's this loves direction?                                                       ­                           
                                                                ­                                                  
My heart still won't give up                                                               ­                   
                                                                ­                                                    
it's missing what is gone                                                             ­                     
                                           ­                                                                 ­            
but I know it's been long
enough                                                           ­                     
                                                                ­                                                  
and he's not coming home

There is not a single day, that I don't walk this way                                                              ­                                                        
                                                                ­                                                    
It's just a path that I take, when I have decisions to make                                                            
                                                                ­                                                      
It's given me the chance to see, God's work so perfectly                                                        ­                
                                                ­                                                            
Amongst the birds and the bees, are flowers I keep noticing                        
                                                                ­                                              
They are both yellow and orange, not much to see,                                            
                                                                ­                                                  
but I have seen them bloom in May, clumped in snow on a cold day                                  
                           ­                                                                 ­                            
  I can't help but admire their will, standing tall, standing still,      
                                                    ­                                                                 ­                                                                 ­          
its head held high with dignity, I hope I have that strength in me

I wish I could see you                                                                                       wish you could see me                                                               ­                           One last time before you                                                              ­                     left me for an eternity                                                         ­                                   I miss your smiling face                                                             ­                        the love you gave freely                                                           ­                              I wish there was a place                                                            ­                         that you and I could meet                                                             ­                         I still feel you around me                                                               ­                 like it was yesterday                                                        ­                      Your aura surrounds me                                                               ­                        and leads me the right way                                                              ­                     I still catch myself trying                                                           ­                          to make you proud of me                                                               ­                  and when I feel like crying                                                           ­                    thoughts of you are comforting                                                       ­                          I know that someday                                                          ­                      I will see you once again                                                       ­                  but  until that day                                                              ­                                   nothing will be as it had been

I will be okay, she said to me                                                               ­                                                                 ­                                                           
wiping a tear off with her sleeve                                                           ­                                                 
                                                                ­                                              
blood shot eyes looking at me,                                                              ­        
                                                                ­                                              
smiling at me with false bravery                                                          ­              
                                                                ­                                                        Embarrassed by emotions shed,                                                            ­
                                                                ­                                                        
she put her hand on top of her head                                                            
                                                                ­                                              
Pushed me away & said,'' leave me alone''                                                          ­                                                                 ­                                                                 ­                                      
I just need some time of my own                                                              ­  
                                                                ­                                                      
I did as she said out of respect,                                                         ­ 
                                                               ­                                                   
she reacted in a way I didn't expect,                                                          ­      
                                                                ­                                                  
she left the house, she was distraught,                                                      ­          
                                                                ­                                                      
I sat there, left with her thoughts                                                         ­       
                                                         ­                                                          
She was one of my best friends                                                          ­                          
                                      ­                                                                 ­         
after that day, never seen alive again                                                            ­      
                                                          ­                                                      
They found her after a few days                                                             ­           
                                                     ­                                                   
someone killed her in a bad way                                                              ­          
                                                                ­                                                      
I always felt responsible                                                      ­                                
                                ­                                                                 ­                 
but stopping her was impossible                                                       ­                 
                                               ­                                                                 ­      
If she had not run away,                                                            ­                          
                                      ­                                                                 ­           
she would still be here today                                                            ­                    
                                            ­                                                                 ­      
 So many things I wanted to say,                                                             ­     
                                                           ­                                                       
that may have changed that day                                                              ­    
                                                                ­                                                      
  I should have said,'' you can count on me''                                                    
                                                                ­                                                
That her friend, I would always be                                                  
                                                                ­                                                  
  and that if she ever fell apart,                                                           ­           
                                                     ­                                                             
that I would hold her broken heart,                                                           ­   
                                                             ­                                                   
until she was able to mend,                                                            ­            
                                                                ­                                                      
I loved her, she was my friend                                                           ­           
                                                     ­                                                           
now I am filled with, ''if only I's?"                                                            ­      
                                                          ­                                                        
and left with wondering why?

Years of words unspoken between you and me,                                                              ­      
                                                                ­                                                      
has caused a lot of tension and instability                                                      ­        
                                                                ­                                                               Hidden anger and resentment drove us apart,                                            
              ­                                                                 ­                                       
  just like the hatred we have in our hearts                                                    
                                                                ­                                                      
We both know it's over, but no move is made,                                                            ­
                                                                ­                                                    
how much more is sacrificed before the price is paid                                                             ­               
                                                 ­                                                                 ­
We continue together but broken in two,                                                          
                                                                ­                                        
unwilling to give up on me and on you                                                              ­                
                                                ­                                                                 ­ 
We both push each other to be the one to give in,                        
                                                                ­                                              
seeing who will break and who will
bend                                                          
                                                                ­                                                    
So busy pointing fingers and not holding hands,                                                           ­       
                                                         ­                                                           
we throw out blows and hope they land                                                        
                                                                ­                                            
There's so much **** water under the bridge,                                                          ­                    
                                            ­                                                                 ­       
  as we stand together out on the ledge                                                            ­      
                                                                ­                                                  
  The only time we come together is to destruct                                                      
                                                                ­                                                  
  the very thing we once loved so much

I watched her fall apart,                                                           ­                                                                 ­                                                                 ­                                                
felt the breaking of her
heart,                                                           ­                                 
                                                                ­                                                    
saw the life in her
eyes,                                                           ­                                                                 ­                                        
                                                                ­                                                        
go dimmer then fade &
die                                                              ­              
                                                  ­                                                              
Wiped away so many
tears,                                                           ­                                       
                                                                ­                                          
held her through all her
fears,                                                          ­                                                                 ­                                         
                                                                ­                                          
comforted her when she was
alone                                                            ­          
                                                                ­                                                
tried to soften her heart of
stone                                                            ­        
                                                                ­                                                        
  I wish she would have known,                                                           ­   
                                                             ­                                                       
that we all hurt as we
grow                                                             ­                   
                                             ­                                                                 ­          
  I didn't see all the fine
  cracks,                                                       ­                         
                                                                ­                                                        
 I didn't know all the facts                                                            ­          
                                                                ­                                            
Fragile as a porcelain doll,                                                            ­                        
                                        ­                                                                 ­         
she managed to weather it all                                                              ­                      
                                                                ­                                                  
She never thought she was strong,                                                          ­      
                                                                ­                                                  
but she was so very wrong                                                            ­              
                                                                ­                                                  
  You may wonder, who is she?                                                             ­   
                                                                ­                                                  
  The answer is, she used to be me

The flames of the fire are
gone,                                                           ­                                                             slowly the embers grow
faint,                                                          ­                                                                ashes waltz in orange taffeta,                                                 
                                                                ­                                              
  carried up into the darkness and fade

Broken glass on the floor,                                                           ­                       
                                         ­                                                                 ­        
  holes punched through the door,                                                            ­                
                                                                ­                                                        
                                                                ­                                                    
all say I love you & more                                                             ­               
                                                                ­                                                        
to those who've been there before                                                           ­               
                                                 ­                                                             
Pictures out of the frames,                                                          ­          
                                                      ­                                                            
piled up ready for the flames                                                           ­             
                                                                ­                                                              Curse words & then your name                                                             ­     
                                                                ­                                                        
all in efforts to assign blame                                                            ­            
                                                    ­                                                              
Cell phones with cracked screens,                                                         ­   
                                                                ­                                              
police called to a domestic scene                                                            ­            
                                                    ­                                                    
Bleached clothes strewn in the tub                                                              ­    
                                                                ­                                                  
   all this has to be true love                                                             ­ 
                                                               ­                                             
Ripped clothes thrown on the floor                                                            ­            
                                                                ­                                              
along with your heart & more                                                             ­   
                                                                ­                                                  
All of this drama, what's it for?                                                             ­             
                                                   ­                                                             
This isn't love, it's settling a score

Green meadows covered in moss                                                             ­               
                                                 ­                                                                 ­    
like carpeting so moist & soft                                                             ­       
                                                                ­                                            
  Weeping willow branches silently
reaching                                                         ­             
                                                                ­                                        
dandelions in the breeze, seeds
releasing                                                        ­                      
                                                                 ­                                                   
  Bees buzzing around in the
sunshine                                                         ­                 
                                               ­                                                                 ­        
  as birds pick at grapes on the
vine                                                             ­   
                                                                ­                                          
Fragrant flowers with yellow
pollen                                                           ­         
                                                       ­                                                     
opened mouth to nurture this
garden                                                          
                                                                ­                                                           Wild pink roses & white
daisies                                                          ­                                  
                                                                ­                                            
clamor for space near the
euphrasy                                                         ­           
                                                     ­                                                               
As the sun slumbers in
sleep,                                                           ­                 
                                                                ­                                          
fireflies redecorate the scenery                                                          ­                    
                                                                ­                                            
Beauty as far as the eye can see                                                              ­        
                                                        ­                                                                
­I take in the garden, and it takes me

I have weathered the storm                                                            ­                   I've swam against the riptide                                                          ­              was tattered and torn,                                                            ­                                                         
 turned­ in from the outside                                                          ­                                                                 ­                                                                 ­  I didn't know how to swim,                                                            ­                                                                 ­                                                                  I was lost out to sea                                                                          ­                                                                 ­                                                                 ­   I had nothing to left to give                                                             ­                                                                 ­                                                                 ­ and nothing left for me                                                               ­                                                                 ­                                                                 ­ Lost in the black forest                                                           ­                                                                 ­                                                                 that was thick with trees                                                            ­                                                                 ­                                                                For the weary, no rest                                                             ­                                                                 ­                                                                  heart weighed down heavily                                                          ­                                                                 ­                                                               No bread crumbs or trails                                                           ­                                                                 ­                                                                 ­  to show me my way                                                              ­                                                                 ­                                                                 ­       Only the will to prevail                                                          ­                                     Has saved me today

You're cold & callous, a mega *****                                                            ­        
                                                        ­                                                          
and that's not even the half of it                                                               ­                                                
                                                                ­                                                
hope you get what's coming to you                                                              ­                          
                                      ­                                                                 ­               
but that is not for me to do                                                               ­             
                                                                ­                                                  
You'll hang yourself when you're through                                          
               ­                                                                 ­                                        
and I don't feel sorry for you                                                              ­                  
                                              ­                                                                 ­   
What you put out, you take back in                                                               ­   
                                                             ­                                                         
and you'll be punished for your sins                                                             ­           
                                                                ­                                                    
So, while you're laughing at my pain,                                                            ­    
                                                            ­                                                          
I take comfort in what I've gained,                                                    
                                                                ­                                              
some insight into your black heart                                                      
                                                                ­                                                  
and a front row seat to you falling apart                                                      
     ­                                                                 ­                                            
Yes, I thought you were a friend                                                           ­         
                                                       ­                                                            
 but in time, my heart will mend                                                             ­               
                                                                ­                                                    
I'll put to use to what I've learned,                                                         ­     
                                                                ­                                                  
that some people want to watch you burn                                                             ­                           
                                     ­                                                                 ­          
That smirk you have on your face,                                                    
                                                                ­                                                  
will be the first thing that gets erased,                                                          ­                                                                 ­   
whenever the Devil collects his due,                                              
              ­                                                                 ­                                   
you will have hell to answer to

I deserve an Academy Award,                                                           ­                 
                                               ­                                                                 ­      
my performance should receive an encore                                                           ­                   
                                                                ­                                                          
because I can smile, act & pretend                                                          ­                  
                                              ­                                                                 ­         
that I love this life that I am living                                                           ­             
                                                   ­                                                         
Juggling to keep the ***** in the air,                                                          
  ­                                                                 ­                                                 
take it on the chin like I have no cares                                                            ­      
                                                          ­                                                        
  I've been doing it for so **** long,                                                            ­                    
                                            ­                                                                 ­         
in the background, they're playing my song                                                             ­     
                                                                ­                                                    
Taking my bows at the days end,                                                             ­         
                                                       ­                                                                 ­  
go to sleep & then do it all over again                                                            ­          
                                                      ­                                                        
When the curtains close, I fall apart,                                                           ­       
                                                                ­                                          
splinters of glass in my scarred heart                                                            ­          
                                                      ­                                                        
  Inside­ my tears are falling like rain                                                             ­                       
                                                                ­                                                  
  but the old stains still remain                                                           ­                                     
                                                                ­                                                        
I just want to be who I am,                                                              ­                                                            
                                                                ­                                                  
not this aging super
woman                                                            ­            
                                                                ­                                                  
and still have people love me for me,                                                              ­      
                                                                ­                                              
warts & all, unconditionally                                                  ­                                          
                      ­                                                                 ­                                 
I know I can't just fall apart                                                            ­          
                                                                ­                                          
without someone playing my part                                                             ­       
                                                                ­                                                
Keep the family together for me,                                                              ­              
                                                  ­                                                      
someone to take on the responsibility

I am giving what I get,                                                             ­                   
                                             ­                                                                 ­          
                                                                ­                                                        
I am keeping all my best,                                                            ­                                                
                ­                                                                 ­                                     
See if you can pass the test                                                             ­       
                                                         ­                                                         
when you're left with all the rest,                                                            ­                                            

                                                                 ­                                                      
  I am treating you like ****                                                         
   ­                                                                 ­                                            
  then delivering another
hit                                                              ­                    
                                            ­                                                                 ­         
See how you deal with it                                                               ­                   
                                             ­                                                                 ­
when the tides start to shift                                                            ­                
                                                ­                                                                 ­ 
Feel me start to pull away,                                                            ­              
                                                                ­                                              
ignore you more everyday                                                         ­                       
                                         ­                                                                 ­      
don't care what you have to say                                                              ­  
                                                              ­                                          
Convince you everything's okay                                                             ­     
                                                                ­                                                  
Act like I can't understand,                                                      ­            
                                                    ­                                                              
pull that, here we go
again                                                            ­                  
                                                                ­                                              
Stomp my feet, make demands                                                          ­        
                                                                ­                                      
Embarrass you because I
can                                                              ­              
                                                  ­                                                                
  Put you down so
publicly,                                                        ­                        
                                        ­                                                                 ­ 
  Control you so
  insultingly                                                   ­                             
                                                                ­                                                
Hear I love you & don't repeat,                                                          ­
                                                                ­                                                 
  it's time you felt more like me

You deserve to feel heartbreak,                                                      ­                    
                                            ­                                                                 ­           
be forced to give, not take                                                             ­       
                                                                ­                                                      
                                                                ­                                                      
I want you to feel devastation,                                                     ­               
                                                                ­                                                        
be put in awkward situations                                                       ­                           
                                                                ­                                                      
You should endure deep pain,                                                            ­              
                                                                ­                                                    
have it inflicted again & again                                                            ­              
                                                  ­                                                                
None of that will even come close,                                                           ­ 
                                                               ­                                                         
to what you gave me, what you chose                                                            ­          
                                                      ­                                                            
You should feel how it feels to cry,                                                            
                                                                ­                                          
wonder why I am not home at night,                                                        
  ­                                                                 ­                                               
ask yourself a million times, why?                                                             ­ 
                                                                ­                                                
  keep getting up to look outside                                                          ­            
                                                                ­                                                  
You need to walk a mile in my shoes,                                                          
­                                                                 ­                                             
while my decisions cause you to lose                                                             ­ 
                                                                ­                                              
Have your heart shatter like glass,                                                           ­       
                                                         ­                                                               
  get no answers, but continue to ask                                                              ­  
                                                                ­                                      
Screamed at by me while your frustration rises,                                                
          ­                                                                 ­                                         
as I cover up truths with fake disguises,                                                       ­               
                                                 ­                                                               
  look at you boldly while I am lying                                                        
   ­                                                                 ­                                            
This is what you have done to me,                                                    
                                                                ­                                                  
  this is the love that I have seen

We are living together yet falling apart.                                                           ­       
                                                                ­                                                      
the word forever isn't written in our stars                                                          
 ­                                                                 ­                                        
Heartache is the only thing that we share,                                          
                ­                                                                 ­                                   
now nothing matters & no one cares                                                            ­    
                                                            ­                                                                I take from you, you take from me,                                                          
                                                                ­                                              
hurting each other deliberately                                                     ­                 
                                                                ­                                                        
So far gone we don't care to see,                                                             ­                 
                                                                ­                                                      
I'm killing you & you're killing me                                                               ­   
                                                                ­                                                  
You push my buttons & I push yours                                                            ­      
                                                                ­                                                    
so many times, we stopped keeping score                                                        
   ­                                                                 ­                                                  
  I keep on threatening to walk out that door,                                                      
                                                                ­                                            
you're screaming at me; I can't take anymore"                                                         ­                           
                                                                ­                                                      
I am ashamed of what we have become,                                                
         ­                                                                 ­                                            
but I have the sense to know we are done                                                        
                                                                ­                                            
Broken hearted, I'm standing my ground,                                                        
 ­                                                                 ­                                                
you are someone I can't be around                                                          
                                                                ­                                                      
I detach myself & I wrestle free,                                                            ­          
                                                                ­                                                      
  I got away, a small victory

Something in me has changed,                                                         ­                     
                                           ­                                                                 ­                   feelings have been rearranged                                                       ­                                 
                                                                ­                                            
Thought processes shifting,                                                        ­            
                                                                ­                                                      
I'm full of wishful thinking                                                         ­                           
                                     ­                                                                 ­                
I've become happy and content,                                                         ­                       
                                         ­                                                                 ­    
blessed, everything's heaven sent                                                             ­             
                                                   ­                                                                 ­    
A smile keeps creeping up on me,                                                              ­                                
                                                                 ­                                             
covering where a frown used to be                                                               ­   
                                                                ­                                                  
The sun has never been brighter,                                                        ­                                          
                                                                ­                                                  
my mood has never been lighter                                                          ­          
                                                                ­                                                        
I want to sing and laugh out loud,                                                            ­    
                                                                ­                                                
catch a ride on a floating cloud                                                            ­    
                                                            ­                                                            
I am in my summer
season,                                                          ­                
                                                                ­                                            
shining brightly for no reason                                                           ­       
                                                                ­                                          
Soaking up this life with greed,                                                           ­     
                                                           ­                                                             
  I­ feel like I am complete

The embers from the campfire,                                                        ­                    
                                                                ­                                                        
  are like fireflies in flight                                                           ­                                 
                                                                ­                                                  
  as they escape, they burn brighter                                                         ­                                                                 ­                                  
                              ­                                                                 ­                         
 an orange star in the
night                                                            ­                            
                                    ­                                                                 ­         
Tendrils of smoke wafting in the
air,                                                             ­ 
                                                               ­                                                         
 it's in our clothes, in our hair                                                             ­             
                                                   ­                                                                 ­  
 It smells like summertime out
here,                                                            ­                  
                                                                ­                                              
  eating hotdogs & drinking beer                                                             ­ 
                                                               ­                                                 
 Turn the music way up high                                                             ­       
                                                         ­                                                                 ­  
 The moon shines so bright                                                          
                                                                ­                                                  
 The crickets are trilling all
around,                                                          ­        
                                                                ­                                                    
it's like we are in surround
sound                                                            ­          
                                                      ­                                                                 ­ 
  I love this cool summer
  night                                                         ­           
                                                     ­                                                             
  the campfire feels so nice

Every lie you say to me,                                                              ­                          
                                                                ­                                                  
every infidelity,                                                      ­                                              
                  ­                                                                 ­                               
taints another memory                                                           ­                           
                                     ­                                                                 ­               
 and you are slowly killing me                                                               ­                                       
                                                                ­                                                      
You have filled my heart with hate,                                                            ­                              
                                                                ­                                                  
every time you come home late,                                                            ­          
                                                                ­                                                      
  my heart & head has to debate,                                                          ­              
                                                  ­                                                                 ­   
  you always end up second rate                                                             ­       
                                                         ­                                                       
Why didn't you just walk away?                                                            ­              
                                                  ­                                                              
  ­How can you treat me this way?                                                             ­     
                                                           ­                                                     
  You want your cake & eat it too,                                                             ­   
                                                                ­                                                 
 and **** you got a big, sweet tooth                                                        
                                                                ­                                                  
She didn't take you away from me,                                                              ­
                                                                ­                                                      
I will give you to her, gladly                                                           ­                     
                                           ­                                                                 ­    
then I will sit back just to see,                                                             ­               
                                                                ­                                                
what happens when she becomes like me

No love is known where no love is shown

You pull me in ways I don't want to go                                                               ­             
                                                   ­                                                                 ­  
You show me things I don't want to know                                                             ­                             
                                   ­                                                                 ­                  
You tell me the words I want to hear,                                                          
 ­                                                                 ­                                                    
you are the very thing I fear                                                             ­                   
                                                                ­                                                      
You hold my hand, you hold me down,                                                      
     ­                                                                 ­                                                  
I feel like I'm six feet underground                                                      ­      
                                                          ­                                                        
You whisper sweet lies to watch me react,                                            
                                                                ­                                                        
I wish I could take all my love back                                                             ­       
                                                                ­                                                  
You push me out of my comfort zone,                                                            ­          
                                                      ­                                                          
then when we get home, you leave me alone                                                      
                                                                ­                                                        
  I never know who I'm going to get today,                                                           ­   
                                                             ­                                           
someone who cares or just wants it their way                                                              ­                                                                 ­                                                
  All the things I loved about you,        
                                                    ­                                                                    
are the very things that broke us in two

Go ahead and point your finger at
me,                                                              ­    
                                                            ­                                                            
   I only reflect your own
insecurities                                                    ­                                                        
        ­                                                                 ­                                             
Call me the names that cause you
fear,                                                            ­                              
                                                                ­                                                  
afraid of what you don't want to
hear                                                             ­     
                                                                ­                                                  
Gang up on me with your group of
friends,                                                         ­ 
                                                                ­                                            
worrying that they'll turn on you in the
end                                                            
                                                                ­                                        
Persecute me & deflect from the
truth                                                        
   ­                                                                 ­                                    
convince them that you have some
proof                                                      
     ­                                                                 ­                                        
Mock how I'm comfortable in my
skin,                                                            ­                              
                                  ­                                                                 ­             
as you fight the torture from  
within                                                           ­ 
                                                               ­                                                         
I know you hate admiring me the
most                                                             ­   
                                                                ­                                                
you're in the shadows, I am your
ghost                                                      
                                                                ­                                               
  While you are taking turns hurting
  me,                                                          
­                                                                 ­                                     
remember I am who you want to be

Every time I put my foot down,                                                            ­              
                                                                ­                                                      
you get ****** and start coming around                                                           ­             
                                                   ­                                                                 ­  
and about the time I'm on solid ground,                                                        
 ­                                                                 ­                                                    
you come back to claim your lost and found                                                          
                                                                ­                                                      
You can't stand me being on my own,                                                             ­     
                                                           ­                                                           
you hate the thought that I have grown                                                            ­                
                                                                ­                                                  
  Just like I flower I start to bloom                                                            ­                
                                                                ­                                                    
  till you get jealous & cut my roots                                                            ­                  
                                              ­                                                                 ­ 
  Why can't you swallow your pride,                                                           ­   
                                                                ­                                                        
  I don't need you by my side to thrive                                                           ­       
                                                                ­                                              
  You're so afraid that I have moved on                                                               ­                 
                                               ­                                                                 ­  
and have no need to bring you along                                                            ­            
                                                    ­                                                              
Let me go, you never really cared                                                            ­      
                                                                ­                                                
      until you realized I'm no longer there.

I've been taking down the giants in my
life                                                             ­             
                                                   ­                                                             
Lining them all up without thinking
twice                                                            ­
                                                                ­                                                      
I'm so tired of bending for everyone
else,                                                        
   ­                                                                 ­                                                    
it's time for me to raise a little bit of
hell                                                             ­ 
                                                                ­                                                
Trying to breathe life into my
brokeness,                                                       ­   
                                                             ­                                                    
getting all the negativity off my
chest                                                            ­          
                                                      ­                                                                 ­ 
  I won't be bullied into changing my
mind,                                                        
   ­                                                                 ­                                          
every dog gets his day & I 'm taking
mine                                                            ­                                                    
            ­                                                                 ­                                           
You can't guilt me into thinking like
you                                                          
   ­                                                                 ­                                                    
I don't care if you don't like the
truth                                                            ­                
                                                                ­                                              
That's the first thing that you should
see,                                                             ­     
                                                                ­                                                  
this isn't about you, it's all about
me                                                              
                                                                ­                                                        
I found out something can you guess
what?                                                      
     ­                                                                 ­                                            
My opinion matters, so keep your mouth shut

I could never please you, God knows that I've tried                                                            ­                                                 
    My efforts have amused you, so many nights I cried                                                            ­                                            
Every time I got up, you knocked me back down                                                             ­                                           
Now that I have had enough, I'm knocking off your crown

I know the chances I
take                                                             ­                                             
                   ­                                                                 ­                                 
    and I can make
mistakes                                                         ­                                 
                                                                ­                                                      
but head on, no
brakes                                                           ­                       
                                         ­                                                                 ­              
  won't stop until I break                                                            ­          
                                                                ­                                  
  Consequences are
paid,                                                            ­                    
                                                                ­                                                          
  I live with them every
  day                                                           ­                               
                                                                ­                                                        
I can't help myself,                                                          ­                  
                                                                ­                                                        
 I think I like it in
hell                                                             ­                       
                                                                ­                                                    
It's a fine line that I walk,                                                            ­                                        
                        ­                                                                 ­                               
I take credit and the fault                                                            ­                  
                                              ­                                                                 ­   
I'm sorry it affects you                                                              ­                      
                                                                ­                                                    
but after what I've been
through                                                          ­                      
                                          ­                                                                 ­           
It is the only way I know,                                                            ­                  
                                                                ­                                                    
it is a weight that I tow                                                              ­                            
                                                                ­                                                
This is all that I am,                                                              ­                            
                                    ­                                                                 ­             
just another lost human

You that never loved, let me show you how                                                              ­                  
You who never laughs, laugh out loud now                                                        
You have a smile that never is shown                                                            ­                
Let it all happen now, you are loved, you know                                                            
You with tears in your eyes, dry them up,                                                          
You with your pain, have suffered enough                                                           ­                   
You with the weight of loss & agony                                                            ­  
Let it all go you deserve to be happy

Dear other woman,                                                           ­                                     
                                                                ­                                                        
he doesn't care about you,                                                             ­                     
                                           ­                                                                 ­            
he was once my man                                                              ­                                                  
and at one time I was you                                                              ­                                                                 ­                                                                
­                                                                 ­                                                   
He'll never
checkup                                                          ­                                            
                    ­                                                                 ­                                   
to make sure you're
okay                                                             ­                         
                                                                ­                                                  
and when he's had
enough,                                                          ­                                
                                                                ­                                                    
he will be on his way                                                              ­                              
                                  ­                                                                 ­             
He'll spend his
weekends,                                                        ­                          
                                      ­                                                                 ­       
doing what he wants                                                            ­                  
                                                                ­                                        
Hanging out with friends,                                                         ­                       
                                                                ­                                                  
and you stay home alone                                                            ­                  
                                              ­                                                                
You'll be up all night,                                                           ­           
                                                     ­                                                       
waiting by the phone                                                            ­                            
                                    ­                                                                 ­            
 and he'll start a
fight                                                            ­                                  
                                                                ­                                                    
  so, he can stay out on his
own                                                              ­                              
                                  ­                                                                 ­           
You'll think he's
cheating,                                                        ­                              
                                  ­                                                                 ­              
 he'll say it's in your
  mind                                                          ­                              
                                                                ­                                                    
  He will have you
  thinking,                                                     ­                     
                                           ­                                                                 ­      
that you're wasting his
time                                                             ­           
                                                                ­                                                  
Just when you think you                                                              ­                    
                                            ­                                                                 ­   
can't take it anymore                                                          ­                                                    
            ­                                                                 ­                                    
  and you have the
proof                                                            ­                                  
                              ­                                                                 ­                       
to nail his *** to the floor,                                                           ­                   
                                                                ­                                                
here come the flowers                                                          ­                                                    
                                                                ­                                                    
so, he can get back in                                                               ­                                   
                                                                ­                                            
Giving him back the
power,                                                           ­                           
                                     ­                                                                 ­                
to cheat on you again                                                            ­                            
                                    ­                                                                 ­                   
I know you are wondering,                                                       ­               
                                                 ­                                                                
 why I am confiding in
you,                                                             ­                   
                                                                ­                                                    
  it's because I've been
  there,                                                        ­                                        
                        ­                                                                 ­                           
and at one time I was you

You want to scream out loud in your rage                                                             ­                                          
                                                                ­                                                 
Like a circus lion trapped in a cage  
                                                                ­                                         
  Someone should teach you how to behave                                                                        ­                                                 
 All the while you treat me like your slave                                                                    ­                                                
You are a dictator through & through                                                                          ­                               
I cannot help how much I hate you                                                              ­                                         
                       ­                                                                 ­                      
 What makes you do the things that you do           
                                           
And I am the one with the attitude?                                                        ­                                                       
 You throw affection like a dog's bone                                                                       ­                                              
Often enough so that I know I am owned                                                                            ­                         
With a noose hung around my neck                                                                         ­                                                
You pull on at times to keep me in check                                                            ­                                                          
You've­ had control of my entire life                                                                     ­                                              
I am a prisoner, I'm not your wife                                                                      ­                                    
 Let me go, please let me be free                                                                    ­                                                 
the way you love me is killing me

I gave my all every time, gave my heart, gave my mind                                                             ­                                                       one hundred and ten percent, like a weathered reed I have bent                                                             ­                                                    wrung my hands in despair, because I loved, because I cared                                                            ­                                                             I have wept tears and I have tried, to make a change, to be a guide                                                            ­                                                             It's my curse to love and mend, my family and my friends                                                          ­                                                           To offer hope and humanity, to offer help to those in need                                                             ­                                                          It's the way we all should be, not to follow but to lead, but perhaps it's just the Aquarian in me

When the glitter fell so did the spell, of the Knight in shining armor                                                            ­                
                                                ­                                                                 ­     
She came to understand that he was just a man who in the end
would harm her,                                                             ­                                     
                                                                ­                                                    
  now faced with the truth, he was the proof, she distanced herself
from him,                                                             ­                                             
                   ­                                                                 ­                            
braced for the worst even though it would hurt, it was the best
thing for them                                                             ­                                                                 ­      
                                                                ­                                                      
She was prepared that if he really cared, he would persist to have
her                                                              ­                                              
                                                                ­                                                   
 but in the end, he was like the other men, not her Knight in shining
armor

Standing on the front porch on a hot summer's day,                                                             ­                     
                                           ­                                                                 ­
pregnant & barefoot, you chose to walk away                                                  
                                                                ­                                            
Standing in a pool of freshly cried tears,                                                           ­ 
                                                                ­                                              
enabled me to regret loving you for years                                                            ­
                                                                ­                                                        
As your tires kicked up asphalt & dirt,                                                        
   ­                                                                 ­                                                    
                                                                ­                                                  
I was busy calling you a liar & a ****                                                             ­             
                                                   ­                                                                 ­    
I swore after that day I would be strong                                                           ­ 
                                                                ­                                                      
and my grieving time wouldn't be long                                                        
    ­                                                                 ­                                                 
I had our baby two months after you'd gone                                              
              ­                                                                 ­                                 
with him by my side, I was never alone                                                        
   ­                                                                 ­                                              
He was beautiful & you'd never know                                                      
      ­                                                                 ­                                   
because you weren't there to see him grow                                            
                ­                                                                 ­                                     
I never told him his daddy's name                                                             ­     
                                                                ­                                                      
I didn't want rejection to bring him shame                                                  
                                                                ­                                                  
So, I just loved him for the both of us,                                                            
 ­                                                                 ­                                                    
and always let him know that he could trust                                                          
                                                                ­                                                      
I know that you were trying to punish me                                                
                                                                ­                                                  
but I was the one doing the punishing                                                  
                                                                ­                                                          
I got years of his unconditional love,                                                            ­  
                                                              ­                                                    
not once were you mentioned or even thought of                                        
                      ­                                                                 ­                             
Now that you've grown into an old man                                                              ­              
                                                  ­                                                               
 and his life turned out better than you planned                                                      
   ­                                                                 ­                                                  
I don't feel bad that you are all
alone                                                          
                                                                ­                                                     
it's just a shame that your son is now grown

You have broken me, torn me apart                                                      
Put me on my knees and ripped out my heart                                                            ­              
You've caused great pain, sheer agony                                                          
You'll do it again, because you love me                                                          
You've stretched me thin; you've worn me out                                                              ­          
Gotten under my skin, made me scream out loud                                          
Twisted my memories, inflicted total misery                                                      
******  with my mind, because you love me                                                          
You bared your teeth, then bled me dry                                                              ­
****** me like a leech, I'm empty inside                                                           ­       
Made me swallow what was left of my pride                                                    
turned me into someone I despise, because you love me

It feels like you're adrift at
sea,                                                             ­                   
                                                                ­                                                
where you have spent an eternity,                                                        ­
                                                                ­                                                    
with no one to cling to but
me                                                               ­                       
                                                                ­                                                      
and it's slowly drowning
me                                                               ­                     
                                           ­                                               
 Splashing, crashing far from
shore                                                            ­          
                                                      ­                                                        
I've been the boat and you're the oars                                                             ­   
                                                                ­                                                    
that you have thrown in
carelessly                                                       ­         
                                                                                                  ­              
because it's easier to be here
with me                                                          ­            
                                                                ­                                                        
Eyes closed underwater you can't
see                                                              ­
                                                                ­                                          
through the sea of uncertainty                      
                               ­                                                                 ­                   
You cling to me, catch your breath,                                                          ­                                                    
pushing me close to my own
death                                                            ­                
                                                ­                                                                 ­ 
still can't live with your
regrets                                                          ­              
                                                  ­                                                              
can't stand on the shore just yet

A mother cat and her babies, maybe five, maybe four                           Together all cuddling in a box on the floor                                                            ­                                                           She is so attentive, as they meow loudly,                                                          ­                                                   She gets them motivated, corrals them proudly                                                          ­                                                     A collection of soft and colorful fur                                                              ­    up safe in their loft, they snuggle and purr                                                 She eyes me watching, while cleaning them gently                                   none of them matching other than their innocent beauty

There comes a time in your life, when you have to face all you've done                                                             ­                                                        Have you tasted it, taken a bite, or crossed off your list, a single one?                                                             ­                                                         Are you living each day like it lasts because life goes so fast,                                                            ­                                                              so I like to do more often than not, sit myself down and straight talk                                                             ­                                                                You can't change or live in the past, it dims life's light with the shadow it casts                                                                                            ­                                It humbles me and makes me aware, love is garden that needs care                                                             ­                                                            It's so easy to build up a wall  ,impossible to scale it keeps out all  ,                                                           ­                                                            once you feel no one's there, remember you shunned all who cared                                                            ­                                                             Life is fleeting and love is strong, both must be given freely to work along                                                            ­                                                               I have seen it  many times,  life and love withering on the vine

How you rekindle a flame that's gone cold?                                                      
                                                                ­                                                        
                                                                ­                                                
  Play a bluff hand you know you should fold?                                                            ­          
                                                      ­                                                               
                                                                ­                                                
How do breathe life into a faded romance?                                                         ­                                                                 ­                                                                 ­                           
How do you know it's even worth the chance?                                                          ­                
                                                ­                                                                 ­     
Do you move on & start love anew,                                                            ­            
                                                    ­                                                                 ­   
or be true to what your hearts telling you?                                                  
                                                                ­                                                    
How do you convince someone to try again,                                                  
                                                                ­                                                  
when it's hard to even remain being friends?                                                  
      ­                                                                 ­                                         
How do you go about making the first move,                              
                                                                ­                                              
when you know they will just reject you?                                                      
      ­                                                                 ­                                            
You can tell yourself, maybe they feel the same                                                
            ­                                                                 ­                                     
but if not, you're opening up for pain                                                  
                                                                ­                                                    
So, you wait & another day goes by,                                                              ­  
                                                                ­                                                  
do you harden your heart or even try?                                                          
                                                                ­                                                 
 The longer you wait, the harder it becomes                                                          ­            
                                                                ­                                                    
till your loves gone forever, it's all come undone

So many words written on
me,                                                              ­          
                                                                ­                                                      
that define my
personality                                                      ­                                  
                              ­                                                                 ­                     
Even though they are not
seen,                                                            ­          
                                                                ­                                                    
they mirror
accountability                                                   ­                             
                                   ­                                                                 ­              
Some are benign, mother &
wife                                                             ­           
                                                     ­                                                           
others reflect my road map of
life                                                             ­         
                                                                ­                                                        
  Documents of sadness &
  pain                                                          ­                  
                                                                ­                                          
labeling me again &
again                                                            ­              
                                                                ­                                            
Failure is a word I
see,                                                             ­                     
                                           ­                                                                 ­          
in every picture taken of
me                                                               ­           
                                                                ­                                              
Every image, glance or
stare                                                            ­              
                                                                ­                                            
  reflects the words," I don't
care"                                                            ­                              
                                  ­                                                                 ­   
  degrading remarks once
  said                                                          ­            
                                                    ­                                                                
­  are written across my
forehead                                                         ­                 
                                               ­                                                                 ­    
   In bold black letters I can
  see                                                           ­         
                                                       ­                                                           
   the word victimized on
  me                                                            ­                      
                                          ­                                                                
­   Invisible to the human eye,                                                             ­     
                                                                ­                                                    
  are they truth or are they lies?

These tears you see falling are my heart on my
sleeve,                                                    
     ­                                                                 ­                                                        I'm dying on the inside, but the outside is all you
  see                                                           ­         
                                                                ­                                                                 ­ 
   I can put on a fake smile that is your faulty
   reality,                                                        ­      
                                                                ­                                                        
  I can alter my perception of who you think is
    me                                      
                                                                ­                                                                 ­    I have all the things that make others happy                                     
                      ­                                                                 ­                       
  looking at my situation can fill someone with
jealousy                                                    ­                                                        
  but deep inside I'm broken where no one else can see,                      
                                                                ­                                                        
I hide the wounds by laughing to cover my
frailty                                
                                                                ­                                                    
  So many different experiences formed my personality,              
                                      ­                                                                 ­        
 some were good and some were just major tragedies                          
                                                                ­                                                        
I don't want to go back again, it's all too hard for
me                                                               ­       
                                                                ­                                                    
so, I put on a plastic smile and pretend just to be

Show me innocence,                                                       ­                                 
                                                                ­                                                        
that I long to see                                                              ­                                              
                                                                ­                                                     
 The world is so tense,                                                           ­                         
                                       ­                                                                 ­               
it should find release                                                          ­                        
                                                                ­                                                
Escape into happy,                                                           ­                           
                                     ­                                                                 ­            
smile through the hurt,                                                            ­                                
                                                                ­                                              
make everything pretty,                                                          ­                    
                                            ­                                                                 ­   
don't think of the worst,                                                           ­                           
                                                                ­                                                        
look into the sunrise,                                                         ­                             
                                   ­                                                                 ­                    
take a cleansing breath,                                                          ­                        
                                        ­                                                                 ­     
laugh & don't cry,                                                             ­                                                 
               ­                                                                 ­                                    
let God handle the rest,                                                            ­                      
                                          ­                                                                 ­         
lie in the grass,                                                           ­                                         
                                                                ­                                              
cloud watch all day,                                                             ­                         
                                       ­                                                                 ­           
 eat sweets in
masses,                                                          ­                                
                                                                ­                                              
watch children play,                                                            ­                            
                                    ­                                                                 ­           
  visit a pet store,                                                           ­                                     
                           ­                                                                 ­                      
  and pet everyone.                                                        ­                                        
                        ­                                                                 ­                       
open your front door,                                                            ­                                        
                        ­                                                                 ­                           
  and let in the sun,                                                             ­                               
                                 ­                                                                 ­              
pick wildflowers,                                                     ­                                   
                             ­                                                                 ­                    
  eat an ice cream
  cone,                                                         ­                           
                                                                ­                                            
dawdle for hours                                                            ­                                  
                              ­                                                                 ­                   
and never go home,                                                            ­                                    
                            ­                                                                 ­                 
  climb an oak tree,                                                            ­                                
                                ­                                                                 ­               
walk barefoot outside,                                                         ­                           
                                     ­                                                                 ­            
  life can be easy,                                                            ­                                    
                            ­                                                                 ­                      
  take it all in stride

Music boxes play, stuffed animals on
display,                                                    
                                                                ­                                              
waiting for children who have gone
away                                                        
    ­                                                                 ­                                 
Bedrooms left quiet & undisturbed                                                      ­
                                                                ­                                      
voicemails unanswered, texts unpurged                                                         ­                                                                 ­                                                                                                                ­                                                         
All these missing children, postered on a wall
                                                                                  ­                                      
I think of the broken lives behind them
all                                                    
         ­                                                                 ­                            
Endangered or missing, they aren't where,
                                                          ­                                                  
  someone can protect them, show them
  they care                                                    
                                                                ­                                                
Beautiful angels taken or gone
away                                                            
                                                                ­                                            
maybe their mystery will be solved
today                                                  
                                                                ­                                                   
    For every parent who patiently lies in
wait                                                             ­ 
                                                               ­                                                         
   I pray that they bring their child home safe