changes

Burnt and twisted,

stomach tied in knots,

ejecting bile of bitterness. 

Rejection of a life plenty from the aspiration of youth,

to be replaced with the servitude of others,

is this really the life I planned for.

The dream of what could be has hazed over,

to be replaced with the nightmare of a jaded reality. 

As the blood love of life slowly drains from my veins,

as the sticky toxic tar in place clings and chokes the heart. 

The reaction to this failure is to fix the mask,

the plentiful smile of contentment for all,

the twinkle in the eyes is a lie to be taken by others as clear thought of happiness,

in reality the flood awaiting to flow forth.

But then the sound of laughter from children ease the pain,

to see the growth over changing years is something to behold,

the thought of wanderlust is forgotten,

the heart starts to beat as the blood courses back through,

the mask starts to crack,

but the smile stays in place