In smoldering heat,
Walking streets filled with
Smiles dressed in summer —
Dark thoughts hit me
Like cold shivers in July.

When struggling
Imagine each step
A journey
And press on.

Blame that goes around
Eventually always
Comes around.

A crowd, a stage,
A microphone —
Nerves rendering
A speech, prepared
An empty page.

The alarm stopped
Unanswered —
We never woke up.

Never overthink.
Words need no weight —
They have wings.

A thinly stretched smile
Never reaching the eyes —
Contoured in black
By fatigue, apparent —
Stares at me
From each reflection.

Moveless motion
Voiceless song —
Just a sense
The world moved on.

Love proved
Eyes like graveside candles,
Pale and fragile,
Flickering in the autumn wind —
Not her temporary beauty,
Though the ghost
Beneath her skin.

I can either
Release
And let you be
Or keep you safe,
Trapped in
A life, resentful.
Peace of mind —
The price I pay
For your free will.

Familiarizing unfamiliars —
Brother, sister, buddy, pal.
Smile and nod,
Distrust them all.

Hope
Is a question
Unanswered.

Minds, tribes, families —
They appear
So very different
Inside.

There's a song in my heart —
Blast beats, death metal vocals,
Telling me
To get the fuck out
And live.

At the very top
The single path higher
Takes a fatal drop.

A summer
Suited for the living —
Green and lush,
Deemed disappointing.
What strange creatures
We've become.

Do more
Than consume.

Fear my wrath,
Cry my mercy —
Right this wrong
Or watch your heavens
Burn.