Sometimes I want to smile
to sigh
to close my eyes and just be

Sometimes I am alone
in a room full of people
invisible

Sometimes my heart is torn
swollen and bruised
unable to beat

Sometimes there is silence
even as birds sing
because I am without you

Sometimes I am hopeful
that you will see me
that you will welcome me
that you will allow

Sometimes I am scared.

What will it take to make me notice,
to make me pay attention,
to calm me down,
to smile again,
to smell the rain and not fear the floods.

What will it take to wake me up?
What will it take to change my ways,
to hear the cries,
to pick them up and set them right,
to hold you through the night?

What will it take to make it right?
What will it take to make me cry?
to make me hate,
to make me beg,
to let you go,
What will it take?

Asleep and dreaming of glories gone
The world passes over you – unaware
Time has left you behind

Echoes of explosions and laughter
Sounds from children and soldiers
A tiny hand touches your skin

Thought perceived in the distance
Rolling thunder and rain washes you clean
Burnt orange rust breaks free

Green leaves and dirt fall to the ground
Emotion surges to the top
Laughter and explosions

Guarded by conifers’ green
beneath a petal-fall of pear blossom
stolen kisses, moonless night
lit by star-points Burning Bright