open your eyes

everyone wants a slice of happiness,
everyone wants to reach the stars and never fall,
everyone wants to make it through the day unscathed,
everyone wants to play it safe and avoid being hurt.

but no one wants to put their hearts out on the line,
no one wants to take the hit that pays for it all,
no one wants to say the words 'i'm sorry' cause
everyone thinks that they're blameless and the world is at fault.

but it's always our fault.
oh we're too blind to see it.
always our fault.

everyone thinks that someone else will clean the mess,
everyone thinks their voice is too small to be heard,
so everyone turns their back and hums a louder tune,
regardless of the fact that the weeds don't need their eyes to grow.

but no one seems to take the stand they're calling for,
no one seems to recognise their contribution,
and no one seems to take the log out of their eye
before they turn their tongue upon the one that created you and I.

so tell me why,
you're too blind to see that,
it's your own selfish pride.

so open your eyes.

stupid words.

at the end of the day, when all is done,
i wait for you, sometimes you come.
sometimes you don't, i never know.

i don't know why, its just a thing,
no meaning, story, anything.
a single dancer without a show.

a stupid hope, an unwise dream,
at odds with reality, so it seems.
will probably pass, like the wind that blows.

spinning words that fall from the sky,
that are over-dramatic, but not really a lie,
move like the tide with its ebb and flow.


floating, floating away.

sometimes i wonder what the world would be like if everyone told the truth.
not just some of the time, but all the time.
and not just a collection of half-truths and errors.
the real thing.
whatever that is.
i wonder what it would be like if there were no more white lies to spare someone else's feelings.
no more omissions to save face.
no more conflict between the head and the heart.
no more plastered-on smiles that disguise the disappointment.

would we be better off?
would there be no more time lost in pointless arguments,
no more subtle indications that something was amiss and needs fixing.
no more one word generalisations that don't mean a thing.
no vessels of potent poison that threaten to overflow.

but what would be left?
would we be any less battered and broken than before?
and this time, with no hard shell to collect the arrows that are flung towards us.

with pure truth comes no mask. no armour. no shield.
so who are we trying to kid?
we can't handle the truth.

temptation and joy

you see my straying eyes as i search for satisfaction.
divided heart is troubled and moves in a direction
that is far from you and ignores you and pulls me far away.
desires mount, frustration grows as further my heart strays.

and i wish that i could pull the reigns and keep myself from harm,
and look into your promises and feel your peace and calm.
but only anxious thoughts and woeful prospects cloud my mind
so with one blind eye i search the world and see what i can find.

'happiness is what you need, just reach on out and take it!'
is what they say to lift the spirits of the lost and wasted,
who climb the ladder, up and up, and up and up they go,
not realising their very steps are keeping them below.

there was a time an age ago when all i did was trust,
but now i know temptation grows, with jealousy and lust.
and people change and come and go with every different season,
leaving me between the realms of emotion and reason.

so as i watch the sands of time trickle down before me,
i find myself with no other choice than to lay down and adore thee.
for you know my black heart and all its failings, blemishes and flaws,
my spiteful words, ungracious deeds; my impure, selfish thoughts.

yet everytime i turn from you to seek my joy elsewhere,
you never cease to show your love, your grace, mercy and care.
and deep down i know there's no one else to which my life can cling,
but the one who truly satisfies, my everlasting king.

one fine day

laughter, chatter.
eggs on toast.
friendship calling,
sunday roast.

perfumed air:
a coconut scent
fun blonde curls
for no event.

zebra crossing,
smiling face.
cake and coffee
takes its place.

talks of life,
and love and more.
God opens a window
and shuts a door.

twenty four hours
of one fine day
lets close our eyes
and sail away.

blue

splashed tears; supple skin; milky eyes; spiderwebbed lashes.
longing for a life just out of reach.
brave face no more.
shattered mask.
vulnerable. weak. helpless.
comfort words rebound, fading into nothing.
temporary hugs remind her of what's not there.
sadness reigns.

noon

on a day like this the sun is shining and all is good with the world. a schoolgirl swims in her backyard pool, while the washing machine whirrrrrs away, and a chorus of voices float through the air, mixed in with yells and laughs and sneezes. a cacophony of sound.

stifling heat in a closed-door room makes the air heavy and restricting. unopened curtains seal in the darkness; artificial light gives life to her dwelling. throat closed; head spins; eyes droop. tiredness sinks in.