Until Nothing Remains

so tired
of the safe
answers
everyone wants to hear
tonight
I don't have
the energy
to put on the mask
and pretend
I'm alright
when I'm not surviving
I'm wearing away
eroding under
this constant pressure
I'm clinging to
memories
as if my life depended on it
because my hope
fails
without those memories
of a time when
I was happy
safe
at peace
all in one moment
now gone
and fading
with each passing day
each passing hour
I'm afraid another piece of me
will wear away
until nothing remains

Don McGonigal
September 2004