moon half full, left me half empty again.
lingering on the would-haves
could-haves
will not's
the ways of yesterday
breath wasted on kind words
that will be whisked away
this mirror must not lie
for I saw this reflection once before
sullen, swollen, beaten
my own reactions
i abhor

another beat continues
yet one more note to collapse
between the veins of the timid
and the muscles of the relaxed

how many times must i tell myself
this story on repeat
no lesson learned
no method turned
to remove the obsolete

And yes, I'm sure the sun will shine
and peek beyond the clouds
but when will the rain pour down
leave me to soak in this thought
one more simple request of myself
that might surely rot

limbs stiffened, sweat glistens
without lifting a single finger
towards the greater effort
of living through the weak