I have news for you,
even when you think you're failing,
you're actually winning.
Because if you're failing,
that means that you're still in the game.
If you're still fighting,
they haven't won.
Whoever "they" are to you,
don't let them win.
Stay in the game.

-Rhia Clay

This is a tale of the lives
of fools who are wise
a balancing act of love
hate truth and lies.

A carnival-style society
pull up stakes no time
to commit and contracts
full of loopholes so
there's always a way
out of it.

Nothing's for certain
too many choices keep
our heads raised high
to see in a consumer's
world that the grass is
greener on every side.

A lifelong love doesn't
seem to be a part of
this game of quantity
not quality but in spite
of it all I still hear love
calling out my name.

First I hear you laughing
then I hear you cry
the promise of forever
then the promise of
goodbye.

Somewhere, promises fell apart,
Somewhere else, a new vow starts.
Someone's heart is making gains,
While someone else is counting pain.

You've found comfort in someone new,
Yeah... I think I always knew.
Your city's crowded, your time too tight,
No space for even a moment’s goodbye.

Why does the world never stand still?
Why does it always go against your will?
I'm at the verge of losing my sight,
Yet I see you there shining bright.

I see you standing there,
Facing the world alone here,
So strong, like you don’t even care,
While I still break with every stare.

My final day is here,
The sky will be bright as ever,
But my dream isn't here,
My life is lost in this player.

Wherein a tear is but a dew drop
Feeding verdant turf,
Would sadness then feed an army
If only to be led by serfs?

He joined the game
With open eyes,
A world of rules,
A web of lies.

He built a face,
A perfect skin,
To earn applause
And fit right in.

He leveled up,
He played it right.
But no one saw
His silent fight.

He shared his days,
They double-tapped.
But when he fell,
The screen went black.

The crowd moved on,
He lost his name.
Just one more player
Out of the game.

One girl paused,
But didn’t speak.
She felt a glitch—
Subtle and weak.

He reached the end,
No points to run.

The inner voices ask,
"Am I done?"
The player removes the mask,
Killing himself with a gun.