Skin of a lily white,
Coupled with a look of emaciation,
Made with baggy eyes,
And exasperated sighs.
Walking with eyes averted,
Head down or to the side,
Earbuds plugging senses,
Thoughts flowing to a lyrical tide.
Outside a world of strangers,
Thinking seeing is believing,
Appearance renders intent,
And an unimpressive man,
Bearing a submissive brand.
While I soldier along,
With my dress blues on,
Presenting as best as one can,
While constant explosions rock the mind,
Unheard by the surrounding hordes.
Tip-toeing to a tune,
Honing senses to a balance,
Afraid to fall on the wrong mines,
Ones that blow tall and destroy all.
Living as a man of mastery,
Knowing surviving in a minefield,
Thoughts that blow spontaneously,
Heinously maiming life and limb,
Making strife and mess indiscriminately.
A world outside,
Liable to reap blowback,
Or sweep thoughts clean.
Soldiering on with a stern look,
Musically armed against concerns,
Appearing the consummate professional,
In a climate of waiting and biding,
Wanting to share my burden with anyone.
