Shading Greyscale

I remember in dissonant shades

Every good and bad thing

Of which my life was made

Then concocting reason for madness

I place my blame

And find my sadness

Outside this skin and bone-wrought sculpture

Every thought is sin

Every friend a vulture

'Twas you convinced this villain that

There's more to my head

Than a villain's hat

Yet memory serves not to boast

As time condemns

Fading flower's ghost

Then tipping hats and costume quests

And secret caves

Would diminish less

Formidable

I don't know what to say

And I don't know what to do

I don't know who I am anymore

And I certainly don't know you

I'm tired of feeling owned by

Promises I never made

If we really cared for each other

Must all these debts stay so unpaid

I don't know what you're looking for

I don't know what we'll find

I don't know why you think I'm yours

If you don't want you to be mine

I'm sick of asking questions

Only because I've been told you know

I'd rather walk away in silence

Then hold on tight to letting go

Like a Friend

I would like a friend

Not some puppeteer with twitching fingers

Ready to own me, lock me in a cupboard only to take me out to polish me

Or to show me off at parties

So I can do tricks for their real friends

No, I would like a friend

Not some Halley's Comet acquaintance

Who imagines I won't change with time

While they tell tales of the galactic dust they've gathered

The condescension of a busy life that they stooped down from

To pat my wide-eyed wonderment on its adoring little head

Before their next epic adventure

No, I would like a friend

Not some vague conception of tumultuous emotion

Or empty personality behind theatrical masks that always

Seem to bring more tragedy than comedy

For behind every smile a question of worth

The applause never enough to counteract the feeling

That I juggle not one but several personalities

And to ever drop a single dagger is to stab a million hearts

No, I would like a friend

Not some doctor for my weary wounds

To prescribe the just right medication

To bandage my bruises and set my bones

To solve my case then send me home

Nor a dentist to tell me the just right technique

Then on every visit chastise me for using it poorly

Though I do appreciate the care I suppose

A project or a patient, I am not

No, I would like a friend

Whose nothing like the friends I've been

Not assuming what is best for others

Not jumping in with quick advice

Not desperately vying to be the most intelligent in the room

Not disappearing when others aren't the right kind of friend

Not listening out of guilt and fear

Or being there out of debt or insecurity

Not weighing convenience over hope

No, I would like a friend

Who, to be honest,

Is nothing like me

Who I don't deserve

Who I don't understand

Who I don't have

Sacred Bus Stop

Come on down to the sacred bus stop

Sing the songs and see the show

Sign the contract, you can wait here

So when the bus comes, you will know

Pay the fare, we’ll pass the plate ‘round

Shake some stranger’s hand, I s’pose

Make sure you’re dressed for the occasion

You can’t leave town in local clothes

Sit on the bench, recite your purpose

For wanting so bad to leave town

Security will check your baggage

Too much will only way us down

But come on down to the sacred bus stop

I know there’s one on every block

But only this one has the right route

They’ll probably take you to a lower stop

All passengers at the sacred bus stop

Trust your driver and get in line

Heaven knows it’s a bumpy road

But the destination will be worth your time

I’m sorry, sir, this is the sacred bus stop

Seems our list is full, this just won’t do

We pride ourselves at the sacred bus stop

On perfect patrons, and that’s not you

#slogan

i think my generation’s broken

perhaps, our spokesman’s too outspoken

we replaced our lungs to fight infection

we replaced our tongues with the comments section

i think my intellect has faded

think i knew so much more before i was jaded

if your suit and collar come with a matching prison cell

where’s the foreclosure sign on this cookie cutter hell

they told me to get a degree

they said that i could be anyone that i wanted to be

they said if i stayed in school, i wouldn’t have to work for free,

but now even they won’t hire me

they told me to get in line

they said there’s something at the end that will be worth my time

they said if i want to be happy, just remove my mind

you can just drop that at the door, i’m sure that you’ll be fine

but we’re looking for something that you can’t erase

looking for something you can’t throw away

looking for more than minimum wage

looking for a life, more than just to get paid

we’re looking for a promise that somebody might keep

to look in the mirror and be proud of what we see

we’re looking for a change in which we could believe

not just a slogan that we know is only short-term relief

you gave me opportunity

you gave me choices

i could go your way and forever be

shackled and voiceless

or i could walk a lonely road like a pariah

which way i’ll go i don’t quite know but my desire is to run, run, run, run, run

...and wouldn’t that be fun

How the Peel Must Feel Once Discarded

Must be lonely, boy

In your dark room dreaming

Dancing pixels, your only friends

Must be lonely, boy

All the voices scheming

You can hear the echo never ends

Walk this road, standing on your head

No answers for the questions left to ask

But I can't see any meaning in the solace of it

Why blame the future for the past

Must be lonely, boy

Waking up to find

You've slept away your life inside a slogan

Must be lonely, boy

In the crevice of your mind

Hiding deep under it all, you're just so broken

Power Play

We stand on the hands

Of those who died with arms to the sky

And trip on the wrists

Of the cuffs that we missed

chronocide

I'm reaching out forever

But I know that I can't hold it

With every breath a new goodbye

I'm choking on the moment