the trickster

the fabled glass that's
half-empty or half-full lay
smashed upon the floor
and instinct warned me
i might just die of thirst.

the elephant was winning
the elephant has won
who was i to think that
i could be the one to
break the code of silence

how does one speak to
another who has assumed
the role of "trickster"
and lures one into some
hidden web of madness ?

they seem to have no inkling
anything could be amiss
with their perceptions
or their modus operandi

they are the ones who
carry the banner declaring
as honestly as they can

come and be with us
ye lost and trembling souls
ye shall be safe within
this sheltered harbour

but i did not feel safe there
in fact i was struck dumb
there was something
soul-devouring there
just behind the veneer
of middle-class propriety

i know this is true
it's always been true
there was never once
that it wasn't true.
i see the enemy
and the enemy is....us ???

my best of intentions
have always led me only
straight to the gates of hell.

why would your's or
their's do any differently ?

i've chosen to retire from
being with those others
this isn't what i want
but it is that which i need.

their best of intentions
would not allow for me
to speak, or any like me.

the "trickster" is a sly one
donning clever masks while
mesmerizing those about
to think that all is well
and "normal" as could be.

there was no-one there to
reach out with compassion
the hypnosis was complete

where were you when
i was most in need ?

my voice was lost,
with vision blurred,
my heart was aching
praying only to be heard.

where were you when
i was most in need ?