9/18/2023
I now know—why this stress
Lay upon my naked breast
This story’s been told a thousand times
Now here’s a repeat of mine
I was a different man all those years ago
Yet the knife still cuts deep
Progress: steady; even when slow
Vanished when I went to sleep
And when I awoke, this burden leered
Bloodshot eyes, through me seared
A pain: familiar; yet hurts no less
A weight: heavy; pounds on my chest
Breath: constrained; unable to speak
You've stolen the air from my lungs
Who would I call for? outlook's bleak
My song remains unsung
This haunting memory stays fast
I thought these fateful days had passed
Now you've made your unwelcome return
Reason cannot begin to discern
I don't know how, where, or why
But I'm sure I've lost my way
My ego lay naked: bleed me dry
I've nothing left to say