Tomb

“The dead are on display while the living stroll this zoo of tombs.
There is confusion in the air, who is who?”

Canvas

“They pillaged and plundered, splattered their brain matter over canvas.
They were savage, misunderstood. They were artists.”

Slow Death

“We have swapped war stories and boasted battle scars,
waded through fields of friendship turned enemy territory.
Loaded rounds, taken aim.
Face it, we have land mine love.

I have saluted you 21 times,
wrapped my body around your grenade,
I have made peace with this white flag.

When day breaks, we are nothing but empty shells.
No gunpowder, no glory.
You will always be my clean kill,
but I am still a slow death.”

Troubled Youth

“Label us ‘troubled’ youth, misunderstood.
Force us to walk like you, talk like you, swallow pills.
You still won’t bottle our genius.”

Masks

“I used to forge freedom between these fingertips,
romantic gestures.
Secrets bursting at the seams.
My smile lines no longer pick up happiness, flirt with fate.
Dates with destiny have been traded for Friday night’s alone.
I have taught myself to wear masks between these margins,
I hide it well.”