I would 
sweep up
each crumb
every bit
of our 
burnt and discarded
leftover love
that falls
carelessly, 
unwanted.

And I would
swallow them whole,
if only it meant
I could taste 
of your love
once more.

They called you mad.
I however, understand.

Who but an insane fool could fiddle
As someone else loses their hearth?
Who but a cruel tyrant would watch
As someone's home was burned down to earth?

The fire that laid waste to life
As they had known it for all time,
That too was your doing, they accuse,
That is in fact, the greater crime.

Condemned by history as a fool
I know just how you felt.
There is only so much one can stand
When by fate, blow after blow is dealt.

Across the ages I exist now
Having been taught your story.
Knowing, you must have been trapped beyond release
To have given up your shot at glory.

And so, to you, who knows the same tale
I write this out now, a warning if you will,
Know that the spirit who resides in me
Has never been yours to kill.

I am aware of what I'm setting out to ruin.
This is home to you, I know.
A place where childhood laughter dwells
And where all your dreams safely grow.

But oh to me, this very same house
Is a trap,where into fear, I fall
A prison for my soul to haunt
Alive, but dying within its walls.

And to you, my tormentor, I say,
Though this be home to you,
To escape from this prison of fear
There is nothing I would not do. 

I too would strike match upon match
Until a raging flame was formed.
I simply cannot live in constant fear
Until to dust, I am returned.

I too would fiddle joyous tunes,
Until blood ran down the violin strings
Until I too was burned down to ash
And could fly away on angel wings

Death is not an escape, you mock
Perhaps you will be proven right,
Maybe this soul for which I burn
Has long since given up the fight.

And yet, I will not let you win
For the only way I can ever truly be
Be alive with a heart that beats
Is if I am set free.

And though that heart be set aflame
Burn to ash, beat never more
My soul will live in contented peace
Knowing it is free, forever more.

Homecoming

I've come knocking at last
You always said I would
I've given it all up for you
Guess I always knew I could

Held on for quite the while
Watched every day go by
And all my hopes and dreams
Let them all slowly die

Still didn't come seeking you
Maybe I was under a spell
Afraid of what everyone says
Told me I'd go to hell

Put up my soul for sale
Painted on a desperate smile
Listened to that beating heart
Which kept count of every mile

Told myself I could live
That a broken heart still beat
And I still had discarded crumbs
Of leftover love to eat

It took all your cruelty
Every last shred you had
I could have still stayed on
If you hadn't tried so hard

You meant to get to me
Hoped I would write these lines
You played it like a game
You pushed me so many times

Broke me at last, you did
I reach for release at last
And you get to say you won
I am now part of the past

And so I've come knocking, friend
Do take me under your dome
Oh death, please open up
And let me into your home.

You told me once
that I was air to you.

Fooled by ecstasy,
I thought you meant,
without me,
you would drown.

Unblinded by years
I know now.

All you meant was
without air,
You no longer walk around
consumed by fire.

Reflection

There is a stranger in the mirror.
We've met, yes. 
But only in nightmares.

It stares, unblinking.
I smile. It doesn't.

It is me, I know.
The me of the nights
terror claims as its own.

A pleading heart
A shattered mirror
It survives, still.

A thousand splintered strangers
All spilling
far too familiar blood
from their knuckles,
Finally smiling.