all the stars have shuffled off
the spotlight’s on, the stage is yours
ler us see what you’re made of
voice is shaking, age does show

remember the first time you skinned your knee
the whole world was there in a second to see
uncles, doctors, band-aids, pills
for a moment, life was still

you’re in caring hands, you cry
someone’s holding your hand tight
cards with scribbles say “do fine”
soft blanket, tea, and you’re alright

first love, aching on your own
silent rooms and empty halls
you reach out, they try to help
do not cross, personal hell

scream for doctors, try to stop
blood still gushing out your heart
walk the ledge, hoping to drop
everybody’s way too far

glide through crimson paragraphs
sometimes paper’s all you got
scribbles, masochistic paths
as in poems, in heart rot

slow down, darling, choose to be
throw that skull into the closet
try, survive, and you might see
after years a way to close it

until then walk earth alone
day-to-day saves brittle minds
one stone in your heart’s small load
many more in life you’ll find