Chained

I walk with a stranger Talking slowly never looking at him I watch my shoes Shuffle along the steel floor Knowing the lie I retreat inside And then I die Slowly ever so slowly Heart and soul not with standing I am a monster in plain clothes Taking from everyone Without shame I lie For I must live Beyond their lives Beyond their truths Beyond what anyone believes For I am the lion in winter The hunter of men’s souls That lives deep in a place so many know They come when they are alone When they are scared They seek me forever And I give nothing back I am bitter in their throats But oh so warm in their minds I bring sickness I burn down fear I make them brave in moments that never last I live in the streets On the corners In their hats I’ll take anyone Your sister or your Aunt You trust me to the end But I will leave you I must As I am the ultimate pretender A bottle that knows no end