I Am A Pessimist

I am a pessimist

and already, you're trying to tell me that

the world isn't cruel

I realize that some people think that

rays of sunshine can melt away the clouds like cotton candy

but I'm here to tell you that this is a lie

Life's a curtain that can either leave you standing center stage or hiding in the wings

and I've learned that the hard way

because life doesn't always give you what you need or what you want

Death is a stubborn thing that inexplicably haunts you

whether you'd like it to or not

Life is a candle, burning slowly, wax dripping down and sealing shut all the corners

but maybe it's not all bad

I mean I'm living it

and I've been having an okay time

but this will not be true for long unless a piece of this wooden jigsaw puzzle flies loose

shadows will come and envelop me in their darkness, like a flame that suddenly winks out

People always tell me that

I get too down on myself, I dig myself a deeper hole than necessary

if I strike a rock while digging that my shovel will shatter like fragile glass

has anyone ever told you that

the taste of rain on my tongue can wash away my voiced sins

I must be careful, telling you that

you're right; the spikes embedded in my tongue are things of an evil nature

*Hint: Read the poem from top to bottom first, line by line, and then read it bottom to top, line by line! Make sure to read the lines backwards, not the words!*