It's been so long
Since I've allowed
A shred of belief
In the night
Not a sound
But I find myself trying to drown out
The thoughts that call me out
I can feel it
Next door there's a girl
About my age
She's been trying to give a book to me
Says she'll pray
And I tell her I know that we're alone here
That this is all there is here
But I still feel it
Restless nights
Quiet tears
A shell of pride
The heart's soft fears
I want to let it go
Ancient scars
Like the war's dead ash
Hauled so far
But still guarded and stashed
I want to let it go
Under my door there's a book
And a note:
"Even the strong can break
And I know
That beneath those fighting words
There's a mind that churns and surges
I can feel it"
The night air is crisp
And the stars
Between the branches
Pulsing their charge
And the heavy wind is blowing
And it pulls me in, a longing
I can feel it