Read Me

Read me-
and you will know my heart-
read me, and you will know who i am-
i've forgotten, but my heart hasn't-
it speaks empty words full of love, and life and desire-
it speaks of a soul battered by itself - and lost in the battle of the years-
a soul that can blame nothing but itself-
its demise a product of stolen youth, misplaced life-
i am the culprit-
but my heart knows better-
i speak malignant evil-
but my heart perseveres-
i open up the gates to death-
and my heart shields me from it-
it is a hard life-
being accountable-
being honest while cowering under a vivid facade-
it's hard and often foolish to live inside and never out-
i find gentle comfort in my knowing heart-
when all else fails and shuts down-
i can count on it to breathe, to walk, and carry on-
read me and you will know my heart-
read me and you will know who i am---
i've forgotten-
but my heart hasn't.

by gary j. j. boston