You’re worn through,
paper thin man.
Down to just a few strands.
I can see
your past’s behind you, now.
Took all that you had
to make it out,
and I can still see
the doubt
weighing heavy in your eyes.
You don’t have to hide,
but you can try,
if you really want to.
It’s your life.
Whatever you want to do
is probably fine.
We’re all just trying to survive.
Paper thin man,
there’s not much left of you.
How can someone
take so much
and have so little
left to lose?
You tell me
your story
in the way you walk.
Barely cast a shadow,
or move the air
when you talk.
We don’t get like you
hiding in the dark.
We’re all fully fleshed out
when we start.
Paper thin man,
just waiting on the wind again
to come and take you away.
But I see you looking
a little more opaque
every day.
As if life here
is restoring your being.
You tell me,
“Life cannot be lived
without seeing.”
And I don’t have a thought
worth disagreeing.
I just sit and listen
until it’s time to leave.
I hope life fills you out
and brings you back.
We don’t need
to look at you
and see your past.
DJR – 2022
