CastForth

As the songbird sings his best When hoping for his mate, I find, surprised, my voice has grown Much richer, as of late. But as the songbird sings out loud His longing to impart, I lack the pride; my song is soft And echoes in my heart.

I'm totally fine. (I'm going out of my mind.) I'm just tired, it's true. (I tell myself that lie, too.) There's no need to talk. (I'm just so sick of balk.) I'm not reaching out. (I've got no strength to shout.) I don't need help. (But I probably do.) I'm ok, I'll get through! (If only you knew.) I feel content. (No I don't.) I have friends! (Still feel alone.) I live to be honest. I have nothing to hide. But if you want the real me, Read between the lines.

I may laugh, but am I fine? No one reads between the lines. My mind is not so clearly shown. I'm invisible. I'm alone. My happiness is not a lie, But no one knows why I can't cry. My tears run dry; they cannot flow. Invisible. Alone. My pains and scars are known to few. No one knows what I've been through. My dreams and nightmares are unknown... Invisible. Alone. I've forgotten how to show my heart. But would it only fall apart? Pricks with phones could break these bones. Invisible. Alone. My burden... I don't want to share. I don't want to bother the few who might care. It's really no fault but my own... I'm invisible. I'm alone.

My God in heaven, up above; The Father I have come to love; I thank You once again tonight For pains that keep me in Your light. For every night I laid alone, The sheets felt cold; the bed like stone. The lonely pains again had come. But still I cried "Your will be done." Those nights I longed for mere desires But Your will works in ways much higher. Provider, You know all my needs. Trusting this, my prayers do heed. I know not what my flesh can do... Father, keep me close to You! Oh, how fast I go astray To make mistakes and rue their days! So not with joy, I take this pain But gratefulness, and not disdain. It gives me hope, and not the

Some pain is water; Whirlpools slowly spiraling Down a clogged drainpipe. Memories remain, Never settling quickly. I tread to not drown. Limbs grow weary, weak. Still I kick my legs, my arms... Exhausted; alive. Life goes on, and yet Pipes can back up once again And the flood returns.

The hand is chivalrous; The cheek is sweet. The forehead a comfort When loved ones weep. The neck is playful, The nose is cute. The lips, a seal: My heart for you.

Crystal clear and milky white, Sparkling day and darkening night. Icicles and snow formation, Frozen lakes, precipitation. Piercing cold steals feeling from skin, Snowflake quilts trap sound within. Reflected light does blind and glare, Smells and flavors freeze in air. Sights, sounds, scents and taste All submit to cold embrace. Like nature's art, in silence still Lies beauty captured in the chill.