concerning pain

I think I might know what it takes to be strong.
but with every brick I build around my ramshackle consciousness,
my shelter becomes a prison.
the fiery wounds in my side remind me of the nights spent alone.

I think I might know what it takes to be rough.
my edges burn even me.
and my sides turn me inside out.

there's no need to pretend, no need for innocence.
a culture consumed by vanity forgets the wayward sons lost in the darkness of their own fear.
calls for change go noticed only by those that know they didn't do enough.

and change never comes.

I fear being alone.
I fear biting a bullet.
I fear women.
I fear confinement.
I fear deceit.
I fear disappointment.
I fear pain.

concerning pain, I fear I know to little.
but I do know that I believe in a god that welcomes those in pain with open arms.
I do know that the bite of death wounds only the tainted body.
I do know that all good lasts longer than this excuse for a lifetime.
I do know that pain will never cease in society.
I do know that it ceased in one heart tonight.

concerning pain, I know I've caused too much.

longing for change.