what happened

does every year cement another layer of fear
over a vigor that once thought itself wild ?
an inside that once thought itself free
to feel everything, to live anything, to be
to be whatever it wanted, loved, hurt, free


to feel everything there is to feel
to play all the roles under the sun
to tackle giants, blood, bones and all
and beg of life to keep it coming on


does every year cement another layer of fear ?
does every futile attempt deaden a little more ?
does every disappointment lock another door
and cast the foundations for a private wall ?


does every lover lay another brick
to help that wall grow higher and stronger ?
to help build the barricade thick
so every invasion feels number and takes longer ?


what happened to giants, blood, bones and all
what happened to battles, sticks and stones
charging at life with bare hands of force
and grappling love with a bare chest of joy


what happened to the absence of remorse 
to bare feet storming through mud and snow
to vigor, feeling life in all its force
no fear, no bricks, no barriers, no walls