Memories burn
Bright paths as they pass,
Sparkling and glowing
Like freshly blown glass.

Dreams, like bright playthings,
Shattered and crushed,
Still shimmer sadly
Like fine glitterdust.

Hope, that big bubble
That rises and swells,
Returns once again
To the place where it dwells.

Unwanted, deflated,
It falls once more.
Still coming back,
Hope opens heart's door.

Ah, traitorous Hope,
To open the door,
Leaving me vulnerable,
Helpless once more.

A trio of pain,
They dance 'round me gaily,
Making me target to
New agonies daily.

Ashes and dust of my
Mem'ries and dreams,
I sift them; they fall through
My fingers in streams.

Mingled with tears;
What a glittering mess.
I still can't resolve
My ling'ring distress.

Tattered, bedraggled,
Mouth dry and face wet,
Cold and forlorn,
Unwanted yet.

Had I music to set it,
I'd howl my cry;
More than all else
I would scream to the sky

Emotions I no longer
Can handle, I shout.
Oh, if relief came from
Singing them out.

Still they're unuttered,
Silent and still.
Walls are erected,
Strong as my will.

Silence, my refuge,
As it has been
Through years that preceded,
Shelter again.

Speaking when spoken to,
That will I do,
But my being open
Will no more be true.

My trust was slow-growing;
It's broken again.
The walls are now higher
Than even they'd been.