Short Shrink Back Poems

I used to think the night swallowed us, 
Took away our pain, and spat us out again
Whole, mended like a darned sock.
I used to say, go and rest now.
You’ll feel better in the morning, I promise.
Now, I keep repeating this contraction and expansion,
In, out. This dense fog, the light is distilled awfully.
I cannot lift my weary limbs, singed eyeholes protruding
From teary eyes, I shrink back to nothing....

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There is nothing worse than staring at an empty bottle, 
Figuring out there it has more substance than your moral values.
Nothing more than the all-encompassing emptiness: 
The deafening silence

Peering through the veil of ignorance, Unknowing of even who you are;
Not that anyone will notice you,
Much less remember.

As you crawl upon this earth,
And shrink back inside.
The shroud surrounding you
Covers all to see....

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Thinking I knew you from your smile
you wormed your way in with guile
my bete noire*, my bogey man
long of tooth and without a clan 
I let you in, a worm with style.

le grand faux pas*, angel vile,
seeming weak, yet, so versatile.
Hobgoblin of dread, bogey man 
Thinking I knew

Shrink back now into your defile
of sagging skin and toothy smile.
But, I have seen a reviled hand
and my open heart still here stands
wishing sweetness all the while
Thinking I knew...

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May hate dissolve
May fear shrink back.
Murders cease to exist 
Fighting turn into embraces.
May peace be our dedication
May prejudice slip out of minds.
Acceptance of all people
Giving room to one another.
May kindness wrap our hearts
May trust overpower jealousy.
Lies become innocent 
Opinions become respected.
May anger become happiness
May promises become reality.
Peace becomes reality instead of an idealism
Love remains true.
May this side of things one day subsist....

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