The Cave of Wonders

the gravel crunches beneath our feet
eyes widen when sweaty palms meet
but not enough to force the fog's retreat
eyes open as it grows

and the cave of wonders you lead me to
was a pin prick darkness i couldn't get through
careful chosen words to not upset you
we squirmed into the dark

the final straw was that frosty landscape
where the overgrown path was the righteous escape
I cut into the earth, but couldn't kill your claims
that you can't surrender the choices you've made

words weren't enough to drag you along
even weightless as that worm eaten log
one burst in the brightness, one swallowed by fog
the twisted twine is now undone

the blot on my life that my property left
was a shivering pillar where i could see my breath
soon transformed to warmth without regret
as I gave everything away

I wasn't afraid when death finally came
no I wasn't afraid when death finally came
I wasn't afraid when death finally came
I met him with outstretched arms

clearheaded, clear-eyed, and pockets emptied
I found myself alone in the land of plenty
with nothing but sugar sand to support me
fumbled around for the rocks

a place to stand rivaled every scene
of my life before my eyes like that matte black screen
a precious view this globe should see
no way i could stay silent

with scraps on my back and makeup on my face
not a soul could see where the cracks were placed
destroyed it all to erase the trace
of a hope found in things of this world

lava spewed words i thought were burning
the facet dripped spit would have you turning
rejection of the lesson was part of my learning
changing you is not my task

I surrendered all but these calloused heels
a wind blown seed split traveling the trail
no pact with appearance but with action make the deal
where the spark of truth will be

the fog came and whistled at the edge
to claim its stake before my final step
i beat it to the brightness with what i had left
as i gave everything away

I wasn't afraid when death finally came
no I wasn't afraid when death finally came
I wasn't afraid when death finally came
I met him with outstretched arms

but i felt the wind
that storm from within
so i can't pretend
there's nothing after this

that bleeding black
blown through your hair
has got you scared
of what you're gonna miss

you were chosen before
the cracks in the earth
had a chance to bust
through their crust

with bold excuses
the importance you place
on temporary things
is painted on your face

appearance is nothing
words are dead
time to turn
to action instead

all that you own
is fading fast
nothing on earth
will ever last


I wasn't afraid when death finally came
no I wasn't afraid when death finally came
I wasn't afraid when death finally came
I met him with outstretched arms