Encore

The curtains hang limply,
ripped to shame
as we await our entrance.
The stage is lit
and we enter,
cued by the uproar below us
and the company
that remain blinded by the illusion.
You bow,
appearing humble and innocent
to all who stare.
Our eyes meet as you straighten
and you indulge me with a flash
of betrayal.
Your hand extends,
and with ease
you present me to the sea of blurred faces
that cry out for more;
Encore.
I bow,
stiff and uncomfortable
in your presence.
The crowd grows louder, and still,
I cringe.
I glance at you,
you who applaud me,
mislead me,
abandon me.
You smirk and step backward
as bouquets are thrown at our feet,
allowing the spotlight to shine
only on me,
while the faces and hands
seem to beg for us both.
I turn once more mid-bow,
and you wink.
A rose is cast toward my presence
and catches the threads
nearest my heart.
Fade to black;
farewell.

In Your Sight

You awaken me,
dusting gossamer webs
and compelling my legs to cover ground.
Whispers you endow
embrace a newborn,
my ringing ears
sensitive to the sound of your words
and the silences between.
In one swift motion,
your mind enters mine
and I am entranced by your thoughts.
I empty myself,
my world in your hands
as you dance around the simplistic idea
of our coalescence.
Drifting mindlessly,
I live
but to feel the warmth of your touch;
my own face and fingers
outstretched,
alive, alive in your sight.

Breaking Me

Smile for me,
and your poisonous daggers seize
my very being
as I, your molded mistake,
begin to chip,
crack,
break.
You laugh;
titillated by this sensational defeat
that, finally, your eyes can attend.
I close my heart
and shut your door,
each affliction fading,
my scarred mind
making you disappear -

with no memories of you,

I'll forget how to cry.

Smile for me;
satisfy my sore self

with a final goodbye.

Soon this glass will shatter

and red teardrops will cascade

down burning cheeks,
and you will have lost me
beyond recall.
Sing for me, Mommy;
hush little baby,
don't you cry.

Now smile for me
and break my heart.

Monster

On hollow street
there's a home in my heart,
these eyes are vacant;
a soul torn apart
that the wind has whipped
far out of my reach.
Your accusations
all but fasten me to the stake,
slowly, gently,
I have begun to break
in the slightest ways that I wish
you could see.
Your invisible standards
are now clear as day
I fear I've lost control
over words that should convey
my confession to you;
what a monster I have become.

All Eyes on Me

Steady feet
wander blindly in the darkness
as eyes shift restlessly,
searching for a single glint
buried within the fabricated midnight.
A once certain heart
beats fiercely,
caged behind marrow bars,
and memory recedes
into blank trepidation.
Facing the black abyss,
stiff hands tremble,
awaiting a single spotlight
to streak the dark.
A flash.
Expectant glances blur into focus;
captivate me,
they await their satisfaction.
Breath is steadied,
eyes locking into position
above bodiless faces
as thoughts merge.
Two minds become one;
I am born.

A Dance For the Ages

Days pass

as hollow breaths,

counted one after the other;

our hearts beating in syncopation.

To the steady beat

of no music,

we dance along barren roads,

heel to toe;

waltzing the thin line

between the open road

and an empty promise.

Trembling lips offer

the careless vibrations

of your persistent speech

as we take our steps

forward,

moving as one being.

The dance ends,

and our fingers entwine

while we wait for applause

to swell within deaf ears.

We meander on mindlessly,

waving to the passers

in the streets, miles away,

who watched us dance

from such great heights;

wishing they knew how.

Hollow Thoughts

Your eyes imprison

a soul that lies in wait.

My heart echoes,

hollow beats drifting

into deaf ears.

Each memory

sinks beyond reach,

my hand reaching for your heart

as I fall into you.

Mistakes

break weak promises

that withstood the test of time.

Thoughts struggle

to break free of marrow cages,

bones crushing to dust

under a vacant frame.

My eyes bleed

the pain withheld,

undoubtedly broken

for all of eternity.

Lesson by lesson

you slip past me,

until I am truly alone.