a lone tear slips through the clutches of my eye
a tear of grief, of regret, of pain and heartful sorrow
smudging the dry skin, scars too invisible to see
a suspension of rationale, worry for a tomorrow

all I see is the red, slashes cutting my iris in half
voices inside and all around, screaming for blood
the mocking eyes trap me in a golden cage
only to be swept away, my sanity away with the flood

'he's smart' they said, no mercy for a mere child
he walked a solitary path, bloody thorns piercing his heels
all his work undone by the disappointed nod
did anyone ever ask him how he feels?

the weight of the world gracing his spine
silent words of hatred dancing in his mind
he writes a word, and scratches the page out
under this pressure, his mind came unwind

towers of books surrounding him trapped
no gaps in the brick wall holding him tight
a punch, a kick, and a bleeding broken nose
he wasn't done just yet, up for another fight

chasing the Ideal, the perfect score was almost near
there were yet mountains to climb, beware the dangerous fall
the mistaken wolves snatched a limb apart
he stood all alone, afraid to give it his all

a work in progress
© archaios <3