The champion

Thoughts like daggers
Spinning in my mind
Toward the bullseye
Of the strength I cannot find

Never miss a mark
When the champion steps in
The one who holds the truth
That hides beneath the skin

Nowhere to run
When the mark has been set
Nowhere to hide
When the enemy is met

The walls closing in
No exit or reprieve
No way to get out of it
No one left to deceive

The dagger in hand
Prepped for the throw
No way to stop it
Too late to let go

The blade goes spinning
Thoughts, the knives of fear
I look up and see
The champion in the mirror

The Game

My soul is mine
My secrets locked tight
You don't know what I see
When you turn out the light

Call me crazy
And call me cold
But you don't know
What I've been through alone

I learned to let go
When they all walked away
When you ask me
I know just what to say

Yeah, I'm fine
Don't worry about me
Because if I let you in
You won't like what you see

You can't handle the truth
You prefer a pretty lie
Because I was too young
For my childhood to die

Your pity and sympathy
Is worthless here
You'll walk away too
So I won't let you near

You'll take it personal
And say you're not the same
That I just shouldn't trust
The ones who are to blame

I should tell you
Because you'll understand
You'll stick around
And keep holding my hand

I've heard that before
I don't care what you say
Trust is a game
And I don't want to play

I don't want to hear it
It's all bullshit in the end
But don't you worry
You're still a great friend...

Choices

Live life while I'm young
But don't get too old
Have fun and get out
Don't do as I'm told

        Find what I seek
        A love that will last
        Someone take me away
        forget about the past

Wild and free
Young and fun
Getting drunk with whoever
Getting burned by the sun

        Stable and safe
        How he understands
        I'm stubborn and crazy
        Just hold my hands

Save the world
Prove them wrong
Live the kind of life
To be written in songs

        Pull me closer
        When I push away
        Stay by my side
        When my trust strays

See the world
Feel the rain
Feel the adrenaline
Pump though my veins

        Feel my heart
        And see my mind
        My soul is yours
        So please be kind

    Risk my heart
    Risk my life
    What do I see
    When I close my eyes

    The dreams I want
    The happiness I seek
    I'm stuck in the middle
    Both out of reach.

Inked Innocence

My dreams are a rainstorm

Unpredictable and darkly beautiful

Everyone is proud

But I see the shame in their eyes

My tattoos didn’t hurt

At least I told Larry they didn’t

When he took away the cleanliness

Of my once clear, pale skin

The buzz of the machine

Sends a shiver down my spine

And the cold needle

Steals what’s left of my childhood

The ink permanently penetrating

And staining my body

Feels like an angry cat

That just won’t let go

Carefully hidden

When I walk into work

Because Kaci is a smart girl

And has to look professional

I will be successful

Despite the stigma you give me

My soul is displayed in art

I am more than just a canvas