Who really would care,

If all of my smiles fade?

No one wishes to bear

An eloquent tirade.

The songs have choked and died

Somewhere deep in my throat –

And all life does is hide,

And all time does is gloat.

Youth flashes his large teeth –

Vain and proud is his stare –

From afar I feel heat,

To get close I don’t dare.

Where has all my hope gone?

Caved in like a dim star,

A black hole so forlorn,

All it does now is mar

The body, mind and soul:

Anti-matter longing

For death – the only goal

Whose arms I belong in.

Perhaps I could’ve done much.

Lived a different life?

Yielded to ambition’s touch?

Wed fame instead of strife?

Been an owner of wealth?

Hope could then be cheaper,

I could have bought health,

Wounds would run less deeper,

Youth would kneel before me,

And look up in my eyes –

Hell, I know I’ll still see

Lies masked by selfish lies!

Hence I’ll practice smiling

Though my ethos disappears,

For I’m tired of tasting

Salt from overlooked tears.