the cycle continues
it never stops
and the pain will persist
despite the cost
the illusions won’t break
because everything will fall
and it was my fault
to even hope at all

i am a shell that tried
to be more than i could
and in the process
i burned more than i should
i am a thorn that
wanted to survive
but in my quest for love
nothing came alive

so now the mask
comes on as it should
the wonder and joy
stored away for good
eyes still wide but
now they’re used
to look for an exit
that won’t burn you too