Shadows veil my mind,

Filled with hollow despair

And feelings I cannot express.

Searching, always, but cannot find.

I am crowded in loneliness,

Yet all alone in a crowd.

Straining for acceptance in the icy cold;

A fruitless endeavor, a futile quest.

Like a child, I close my eyes and wish,

Yet still I find only echoes of joy,

An ill-fairing wind of bitter mirth is left

Treacherous hope leaves its mark, like a traitor’s kiss

Salty tears betray my mask

And thoughts pervade my peace.

Fearing a darkened future,

Regretting a shameful past.

Again I close my eyes and dream of who I could be,

Allowing the silence to fill my mind.

In giddy expectance, I say, let tomorrow come as it will,

For now I would sleep and forget my worries.