I didn't make these choices,
they scratched at the door until
I let them in, created an army of more
till there was no way I could win.
I became their friend, fed them minutes
of my life like scattering bread,
tossed hours away to the persistent birds,
these means I dread,
these repetitive words.
This routine I couldn't stir
that grew over my head.
The reins slipped and I
became one of them,
fighting for the hours of my life
in the flock, a place to lay down my head.
I slowly took over their towers to fight
from above, fought the shadow things
that slid away, became my own rock
and made room to feed the things
I love, the life I'll lead that won't
turn gray and fade
with age. Made room for flying doves
to sing, pulled these choices up
by the roots and watched them silently scream,
turned them mute and weak. I'm free.