I was hoping to be better than this by seventeen
Life is a labyrinth with beautiful rose walls
to keep people from leaving
A concrete slab that kept the jack hammer busy
because good things come to those who wait,
right?
Only those who know it’s secrets understand

The days smelled of desperation and deceit.
Thus, I sit here looking out my window,
everyday,
not speaking with my mouth
but my heart preaching volumes, just watching
The rain
Each drop falling so delicately to its dismantled
end

I wanted to know how it happened,
Feeling the rush of a time with friends
And people who claimed to have more
than themselves
On the mind. We threw caution into the wind,
But the time had finally caught up,
angry
With the carelessness we prided ourselves in living by
The weight of the world fell all at once
When the smoke cleared and dust settled,
I was left to pick up the pieces,
All by myself.

The joy has fled and left turmoil in its place
As those that spoke only in lies have slithered
back into their dark corners
My eyes
Have been pried open,
A long journey ahead carrying the burden of a darkened heart,
Leaving faith in the pure-hearted for the guileless