Life is a masquerade
Souls hide behind a facade








of
bliss
Beneath the mask
the child cries




and tears are forever





lost
Evaporated into
Cold, thin air.

If the tears fell
and no one witnessed
did they fall at all?

Hold the child
Who cries between



the time of living
and non-existing

Lucky are the ones
who escape
to the land
of dreaming
As some lie awake





with numb
hearts

Hold the child
whose head rests on salty, stained cheeks
against poisoned sleeves

Hear the voice that may sing
between silent screams



sobbs




and gasping.

Forgive
For life has not been a friend
Like the flame that kills the candle
The wind that erodes the land

Life does not give
a breath
Like hell shows no mercy

Take part in the masquerade
or
Set fire to the Flame.