the image of the body
who stood
in front of the mirror
outshone
the images of all those
who cowardly
evaded the reflection.


greatness is the quality
of the great,
how foolish to expect
it from someone else.

It's not about all those who left

It's no longer about those who left,

it's about what stayed behind. 

They deserted along with the dreams,

and left nothing but the arid reality. 

Their names, bodies and voices

are now trivial details

overshadowed by the roles
they failed to fulfill.

What does not cease to exist 

is the sufferable void 

left by their departure. 

Message to the kind-hearted soldier.

After the bloodiest battle,
clasp only your pieces
and reassemble your heart.

After the rowdiest battle,
listen only for your voice
and let it soothe you.

After the dirtiest battle,
brush all the fifth aside
and preserve your integrity.

After the cloudiest battle,
look only for your path,
and follow your light.

Walk away from battleground,
with what yours and only yours,
leaving what is others' behind.

Aftermath

Nothing was left to be said,
for all words had been spent.

Nothing was left to be seen
for all had been exposed.

Nothing was left to be hurt
for all had been injured.

Nothing was left to be broken
for all had been destroyed.

Nothing was left to be hoped
for all had been lost to the mind.

Yet, amidst all the destruction
only one heart was troubled,
for the other remained closed.