A coffle of regrets shuffling slowly
like shackled prisoners in a line of lament
stinging words that can’t be undone
lies that can’t be untold
trails of betrayals like breadcrumbs
only there is no way back
give me one more chance
one more ride on the merry go round
who am I asking
when I don’t believe
Jesus loves me
or Santa brings tinseled trees
the ebon night swirls in sockets of loss
death nibbling around the edges
reality is overrated
yet I stay because I cannot leave
stumbling on with heavy footed hope
a single note on an empty staff
holding onto life with a death grip
like white-knuckling a roller coaster
riding low in the water
but still wanting what will happen next
