[Phantom Strings] In my dreams I cut the string and a puppet I was no more, Adapting on my own two feet was harder than once thought, Used to having what I did and said controlled by them, I found freedom rather hard to manage or comprehend, No longer an observer I sought out my own new #life, But old habits resurfaced and told me to stay in line, The world now looked so different looking through my own lens, Hesitance and Caution became my unwanted new best friends, Unwanted because they stopped me from enjoying each small perk, Teaming up with Guilt, they undid my recent, independent work, I thought freedom was mine but phantom strings were still attached, They controlled my actions until my old behaviour it did match, The puppeteers were absent yet I felt their shadowy presence, So again I danced in time to every beat to make the pressure lessen, My joy was put aside in order to make them smile, Questioning if this #life of mine is even worth while? "Dance little puppet, you know what you must do," It wasn't how I wanted to live but it was all I really knew...

[Trek Out Of Darkness] His battered feet pick up the pace as he clutches the hopes of reaching that hidden place. Head down and focused on his path, he ignores the picturesque views as #life speeds past. He swallows the bitter taste of a drugged reality, ignoring the coppery aftertaste of familiar tragedy. Bloodshot eyes and dry, cracked lips, butterflies create tingles to the end of fingertips. Onlookers cower from the power he radiates, he's driven by his thirst, hoping his destination satiates. No baggage or burdens to weigh him down, he discarded his fears and stomped caution into the ground. His journey is long and his map is worn, his heart is empty and his soul is torn. He fights for that spark, that flicker in the dark, that breath of fresh air combing through tangled hair. Looking for the impossible to be made possible, with determination deemed unstoppable. Walking into the white light without a single glance behind, he only presses forward, never pause or rewind. He trudges through the valleys and on the edges of the earth. He keeps walking, keeps wandering until he finds his self-worth...

[Lost In The Depths] As the sun descends and drowns in the sea, my heart too descends from forces stronger than gravity, Now gone the pure light that warmed me to the core, the#moonloses it's companion as tides beat the shore, The ocean swells, releasing a sigh with each monstrous wave, wearily collapsing on the sand, a watery grave, The midnight sky reflects my darkening mood, dotted with stars that dare to interfere and intrude, A pulsing wind swallows my manic cries, each heartbeat fading yet the waters continue to rise, Unusual shapes emerge from the beckoning deep, As unusual feelings awaken from a decade long sleep, Attempts to understand the scene bring on a vicious migraine, Wet sand clings to clammy skin, too weak to deflect pain Hands clenched tight, clutching Cupids broken arrow, Wounds so deep that initially appeared shallow, Washed up pearls and all the beauties of the sea, Lose their worth, grandeur and mystery, I am lost in the dark and floating in the blue, Awaiting the dawn for the sun to bring a clue, With a heavy heart I sink to an uncharted seabed, Sleep now calls, perhaps dreams will give me answers instead...

[His War-Torn Town] A ringing sound attacks his ears, The muted chaos now perfectly clear, Muffled shouts turn to piercing screams, Whilst the blood of the innocent flows in streams, Forcing his eyes open, he witnesses Armageddon, The place he grew up and loved, resembling the opposite of heaven, Confused and afraid he staggers to his feet, Blinding pain radiates from a bullet buried three inches deep, The pain is overshadowed from the destruction occurring in his heart, He collapses as his legs give way and his world falls apart, Blood, tears and dirt mar his grief stricken face, Sounds of running halt as gunfire takes its place, His usually fiery eyes now doused from the scene of the flames, Some people escaped and now only death remains, Most of the people in his beautiful, beloved town, Had no chance of survival when the bombs started raining down, With peace in their hearts and kindness their only weapon, Armed with love but the population continued to lessen, He lies down on his back, allowing the cold ground to soothe his aches, Staring at the sky as the ground around him quakes, He observes the beauty of the clouds and strength of the sun, Using it to find peace knowing his time has come, He refuses to hate the world and think about his past woes, But instead reminisces about the good times as his eyes begin to close, Unknown to him he is found and safely taken away, This young man will survive, his heart now beating for the thousands that were slain...

[Final Breath] Eyes open, laying amongst the leaves, the last of the fallen after a long and treacherous winter. Listening to my steady breathing as it creates wispy clouds, slighty obscuring my vision of the burnt, orange sky. The sun gradually sinks into another time zone leaving behind a frigid chill. Frost begins to coat my lungs, temperature almost matching the crystal casing my heart sits in, on display to be inspected by the rare few who dare to look. Eyes now closed, feelings of content and familiarity slowly begin to seep into my bones, the darkened sky dotted with spotlights directly aimed at me. I knowingly smile. No need for a fire, I'm warmed by the wind. No need for the sun, I'm blinded by the night. No need for company, I'm happy on my own. Discarding heavy thoughts and unnecessary information, my brain and body releases a sigh. In the next moment peace is obtained. Peace being the absence of thinking, the simultaneous silence of a thousand voices. Unmoving and settled into a deep sleep, fingers and upturned lips turn blue. Undisturbed and held captive in an endless dream. With a satisfied exhale, my last breath floats away with the midnight breeze..