written: april 9, 2020 (day 275)

there's a place long ago forgotten,
where the birds forgot how to sing,
that houses all the lost souls
and all the abandoned things.

you can't remember when you arrived,
only that you can never leave.
it's crowded, but lonely;
the sun shines, the people grieve.

there's a woman on the corner
between somewhere and nowhere.
everyone ends up passing her,
when you do, she says, "come here."

there's something in her eyes
that feels like you're standing on a cliff.
her face is crafted from ancient youth
like something from a forgotten myth.

she offers you a cigarette
before clutching one between her teeth.
you ask how long she's been there.
she grins and says, "honey, i can't leave."

"come here close, i'll whisper you a secret
so your heart won't drown out the words.
this life is full of misery,
full of loneliness and hurt.

but you and i, we're different;
we still experience the pain.
but it has hurt us so much
that we've forgotten our names!

here's the secret, child,
that hidden truth you've been searching for.
we're all sinners and liars,
damned bastards and despicable whores.

our hearts are rot and lungs decayed
our brains too tired to sleep.
but none of that matters, just remember
you're only as sick as the secrets you keep."

you thank her for her time and the smoke.
she smiles wide, blood dripping from her teeth.
you walk away but she cackles and cries,
"you can walk, but you can never leave!"

there's a mirror on the corner
and it bares your name.
it's only a reflection,
but only your reflection knows all your pain.