Mauled and abused

And a trifle overused

I am stretched shapeless

In the never ending tussle

Between my two selves

One wants laughter

The other sheds tears

One a brave warrior

The other cowed in fear

The exuberance of hope

Against the stoic enduring pain

I watch them bewildered

Struggling to gain

While I quietly go insane

Who do I side with

In this tug of war

Stay with the stark reality

Or with the dreamful soar?

I love the dancing rainbow feet

The call of magical galaxies afar

But dare I ignore the accusing gaze

Of my gloomy ebony avatar!

They are, alas,

Like the night and the stars

Inseparable,

Intense feelings and their scars

I let them play with the bits

Of my torn fragmented heart

In an aching loving duet

Of wistful wailing violins

And joyous gleeful guitars 

© Manic Sylph 2016