pouring my soul and dreams and
ignoring my goals and screams and
wishing to compose my life's work
upon this page of flowing streams

I've got places I've been and
things that I've seen and

doors and windows hidden beneath,
only one flowing object holds the key,
to the unknown world inside this cave
of inner whispers and mystery

winding pathways in and out,

play your many songs inside of me,
attempt to tune my heart strings,
try so hard to orchestrate your symphony,
just don't be hurt at this failure to sing

create your many images inside of me,

all the many colors of my heart, all the many shades,
for all the times I've held you in my arms,
for each memory that fades...

all the many mishaps in my past, all the many mistakes,

living through hallways of the past
surviving those remnants that last
my soul recoiled with fear, so fast...

and the mind haunted by outlived ghosts
from a closet filled and long ago closed

feel the hurt that sits inside
as it twists and turns and squeals and writhes...
almost a living, breathing thing
as I listen to the painful song it sings...

an aged photograph
with sentiments of the past
doesn't judge the birth of time
or constrict its self to rhyme

it merely asks of you
to settle on one view
one that takes the test of time

floored, distraught and dizzy
I know there is no cure...
reeling, withdrawn and lost
searching for what's pure...

I'm crumbling into ash,
tossed as if yesterday's trash,

damp from the frosty layers
reeling from the cold within
lost and ashamed, alone and blamed
with restlessness upon my skin

so, embracce me with your (scars)
embrace me with your (sorrow)

these chains I wear
are weighing me down
keep trying to walk but
I'm flat on the ground

I'm dragging, I'm pulling,
I'm pleading my case
I need to be free of these
chains around my waist!

a tiny seed takes root,
fertilezed by efforts to progress,
this tiny seed planted shallow,
with intent to be put to the test

hope is an elusive leaf,
floating down from limb to limb,

catch myself slipping below the watery depths,
liquid fills my mouth and stings my open eyes,
the stale taste of panic clings to my pores, and
the frozen sight of familiarity plans my goodbye...

welcome to the auditorium, tonight,
make yourself comfortable, take a seat,
trust me you won't want to miss this,
don't even blink, you're in for a treat...

the protagonist is here, she's
dancing in the rain, the
heroine of the story, in her
prison of pain

bars that paint the picture,
of violence here to stay,
drops that illustrate my words,

request all your many answers,
commence the asking, let it begin,
there's a sign hanging on my heart,
and it's labeled 'inquire within'

so, unlock the many layers,
unleash a tale so old,