Chasing Rainbows

One foot at a time,
moving towards the sunrise.
Sand that sifts between my fingers,
each granule dropping upon the others.

I've lost so much of myself by now,
each piece that shattered, and fell away.
Will I even be me when I reach the end,
Or some shell to be carried away by the tide?

My heart was once hopeful and warm,
but jagged glass passed across my face
and I was hidden away behind concrete walls,
no light, not a single ray... to warm my soul.

And then the light dwindled in my spirit,
burning away in the darkness, I crawled from that place,
just to surround myself with thickets covered in thorns
the few who peaked inside, were poisoned by the barbs.

I walk along the salty shores, each movement stings
a pain I've come to know, I hardly notice anymore.
Cool droplets collide with my flesh and continue down,
tearing the broken flesh further, and I still lumber forward.

I haven't much strength anymore, 
I simply keep walking because it's what I've always done before.
Onlookers who've followed me for years, take pictures
and wonder... how am I still here?

It's not about strength, or drive,
it's about habit and the apathy to die.
As I move towards the sunlight,
I wonder if I'll ever reach rainbows on the other side.