The Struggle

Slaving and serving, while I work life away
Wondering when success will come, when I'll get paid
Life's just a game, we all play our role
But what's that life worth without any goals?

We sit and we bitch while making it through
But never stop to consider what we may lose
Another day another dollar, at least that's what they say
But I really just want to get the fuck away

Escape to a paradise, a tropical haven
But my dark omen came with a raven
He brought me a message, a little written note
It came from myself and said "Give up hope"

But I won't give up, I'll strive to succeed
Even with everyone I know giving up on me
I'm not a lost cause, my life carries value
If you think different, who the hell are you?

To judge my life and tell me how to live
I've grown up man, I'm not some lost kid
My focus set on success and setting me free
From this controlled life that is consuming me

One day I'll see it through, it has to be true
This life is what we make it, whatever we choose
If it's not, then I'll live in this crazy dream
Where my life has purpose, or so it would seem

Tom

Welcome to a story
Where there’s plenty to tell
About a boy named Tom
Who lived in hell
Tom had friends and fam
Not the boasting type
He lived so humble
And stayed out of sight
Tom was only fifteen
But he weathered some storms
Whether it was being gay
Or emotionally torn
Tom had his secret
That haunted him each day
His family would disown him
If they learned he was gay
Tom’s secret was sacred
A truth not to be told
He’d rather live in secrecy
Grow bitter and old
The fact is they hated gays
Any of those slightly off
His friends wouldn’t accept it
They’d only laugh and scoff
So late one night,
Tom ran away
“They hate me for who I am.”
He’d try to explain
“Off to the west!”
He profoundly exclaimed
Where they would
Surely accept his claim
What Tom didn’t know
Danger was lurking that night
Someone stood behind him
He went down without a fight
His service was set for Friday
As the family poured in
The scene was set beautifully
With haunting violins
Tom passed on
Holding onto those fears
That made him feel ashamed
For all fifteen years
Had he had been strong
He could have confessed
But instead he chose secrecy
And living depressed
It didn’t make sense
To see how Tom lived
So I wrote this story
To be absolutely positive
That nobody I know
Lives in fear and shame
If they only open their eyes
And see they’re not insane
Our friends and family love us
Til the day we die
After that, they still do,
But they’ve said goodbye
Our truths are honored
We’re accepted for who we are
If you’re living in secrecy
You don’t have to look far
For there’s always a friend
Who is willing to help
The only thing in the way
Is you caging yourself
Let it out and be proud
Don’t fight your very essence
If you would let yourself shine
They’d only see your brilliance
You’re beautiful as is
No warranty out there
Can ever replace you
To those who care