Wallflower Poem by Joseph Martin III

I am a fading shadow
Leaning in a chair against the wall.

My dreams have been blown like
Loose pages from the book of my life.

The past surrounds and crushes me,
Memories stealing away both present and future.

Words become dusty scattered things,
With neither purpose nor potency to express.

I am passing out of your reach,
Where even your sympathy and anger cannot touch.

All that is left to me
Is to swallow my story
And leave no stain.

4/1/2005