Do I ask for pity?
That’s what they seem to tell me
My lies bring words of grace as of support
Support I never needed to begin with
Now I rank second-best


Second-best to love
Second-best to fiends
Second-best to life

I carry tears to spark as quickly as a lighted kerosene lamp
A new confrontation waits at the edge of my flannel sleeves
They hold me and tell me
All will get better
Though, nothing was damaged

My own debt fooled even the wisest of owls
I told only pennies filled my pockets
When in fact dollars did roam in good supply
I told death was near as my fate
When my heart beats just as steady

Soon my lies caught ablaze
A bright fire for all eyes to witness
My tears were no longer taken into consideration
The mask did fall
My true identity stood bare and naked
No mask to hide behind now