A confused magician,
I pull the rug out
From under
My own feet;
Remain standing,
Refusing to learn:

Nothing bruises your ego
Like your own
Bruised
Ego.

Singing in one ear, ringing
In the other.
Both drowning out
The voice of shouldered
Angels telling me
To let it go, just let
It go, little big boy.

A confused egoist,
I put rabbit after rabbit
Into the hat of my closest
Human relations,

And remain on stage
Until the last of
The audience
Has left, applauding
Their every step
Away from me.

Frailty, thy name
Is Pride. Another is
Demanding Respect.

Here, pick a card. No,
Not that. Another one.

Some of us spend lifetimes
To grow into
Lesser men than
At birth.

So much has changed since childhood
No more kisses goodnight
No more night lights
No more mommy and daddy

No more tucks into bed
No more "don't let the bed bugs bite"
No more XOXOs, or "I love you"
No more "see ya later alligator"
No more hugs, or kisses

Still afraid
Afraid of the dark.
Still needing the night light
To keep me lite, and bright with innocence

Afraid of the monsters under the bed
All the innocence is gone
Still there are monsters
Except they are mine

All alone
Still with monsters
My own monsters,
that haunt and terrorize me

All alone
Surrounded by monsters
Some my own
Most are the people is the world

Where is the light,
That keeps burning bright
That keeps my innocence alive
I need that night light back
Before my light goes completely out