A Second Bullet 

by Yilin S., 14

You don’t see the weight behind my eyes,

A silent world ‘neath endless skies.

You don’t see the cracks behind my smile,

Not knowing the hidden miles in every trial.

I watch sometimes, and it’s too clear,

The depth of love you won’t pour out here.

The heavy silence in your speech,

Will be the truth I will never reach.

And though you give sometimes, I will fear,

You don’t care enough to hear.

The smoke of many battles fought,

The lessons lived, the wisdom bought.

If I were to give you a second chance,

That would be our very last dance.

You asked me for a second bullet

If I handed you a weapon, would you pull it?

I think you would and so I don’t

I’ve learned my lesson, trust I won’t.

Yet still the stench of my tireless care,

Lingers in the smoky air.

It’s hard for the loyal to give up love

‘Cause even when it hurts, it’s you I think of.

A scent that clings, hopefully sweet,

Is a heart that won’t retreat.

And so a lasting taste of bitter hope,

Is a longing with which you can’t cope,

My patience lingers on my tongue,

A song unusual, yet not so young.

Skin remembers all the pain,

The love I yearn, a quiet strain.

Sometimes the weight is mine alone,

A throne of care, a heart of stone.