Lost Long Before

I lost you long before I fell
From structures made of men
To underneath the forgotten,
Begging for morsels not my own,
Floundering in the shallow depths of need.

I lost you to my own desire,
While searching eyes grew dim
And all I had was stolen -
Never mine, the echoed cries
That fueled the arson's dying fire.

I lost you in a vain attempt
To have and hold again,
As if tired, used up refrains
A different song would make,
Even played for ears in tune with mine.

Go Back Inside

‘Go back inside’,
The silent voice said,
‘For no one can see you
Out here nonetheless;
You’re better off hiding
Where safety is sure
Than standing out naked
Where you can be hurt.’

‘Go back inside’,
It chastised again,
‘Can you not feel the cold
Of a world wrapped in sin?
Out here the exposure
On your tender frame
You’ll never get used to,
Nor win at its game.’

‘Get back inside’,
The voice nearly yelled,
‘You do not belong here,
Among the debris
Of all that is broken
And hearts that don’t speak
To the ideals you live for -
Come, inside there’s peace.”