I stand.
I stand shaking.
I stand shaking without control.
I stand shaking without control, always about to fall.

The unseen dynamo of my mind spins and plummets into holes.

I sit.
I sit in the dark.
I sit in the dark to hide from the light.
I sit in the dark to hide from the light – bringer of agony.

My quicksilver thoughts escape my grasp when I need them the most.

I smile.
I smile at pictures.
I smile at pictures of my family.
I smile at pictures of my family and desire only the best for them.

I have nothing left to enjoy, for all things bring pain except love.

I weep.
I weep for choices.
I weep for choices made by me.
I weep for choices made by me that brought pain.

There are places in my soul, calm and sweet but often neglected.

I dance.
I dance in the next world.
I dance in the next world because I never will again.
I dance in the next world because I never will again – a cripple.

My body and mind are broken, shattered like cheap pottery, to be recast as a new vessel.
As a fresh new vessel I stand.