Asymmetry

What do I know of war? Very little, I’m afraid.
Enough to feel foolish standing here alone.
You walked off the battlefield with no warning,
Leaving me panting in the ruins of the world,
Surrounded by these useless spears and shields.

I’ve been stuck with so many swords,
It’s a miracle that I’m still standing;
I guess that makes me a walking miracle.
Am I a lonely soldier on the battlefield,
or a child amongst his worn-out toys?

In the blink of an eye, you lost track of me
As a snake sloughs its skin, leaving it for dust,
And I want to say: if you could see inside
This arrow-stricken heart that I carry with me,
You would never have turned away.

But I don’t burn as bright as I once did –
One too many blows has cracked my casing –
And you looked away for a single second.
A second is all it takes for a battle to be lost,
Even if you’re the last man standing.

My weapons are words that never won a battle yet;
My words are tools that can’t fix what’s broken.
I’m lost, I’m tired, I’m cold, I’m bruised,
I’m aiming for greatness as I wait for you.
Now battle’s over, I suppose I’ll sit here and wait.

Of course I wait for you.

September 2, 2012

Posted in writing.