by Jason Ray
November 16, 2004
The curtain opens so fast and smooth,
Slowed only by the anticipations of what's so soon.
The intro is played, and sets the mood,
Joyful notes sing out of their womb.
Greeting the listening ears of old and young,
Quiet now, the show has begun.
Act one starts, the crowd is hushed, the lights come on,
No more waiting, the lights arise like early dawn.
The stage dances to life and busies quickly.
The world outside is forgotten of the poor and sickly.
Drawn into the scene without a single care,
Who's to say they won't just stay there?
Minds alert, minds sharp, minds fixed,
As for now emotions remain unmixed.
But soon for them the world will spin,
What they witness will make them cry or grin.
In agony they watch the horrors unfold,
Delightfully they listen as the story is told.
One bright day in the middle of the night,
Two dead boys get up to fight.
"To be or not" is always the question,
But when and where seems oh so foreign.
In the dark shadows lurk the gay,
At midnight hour and in noonday.
Ghastly betrayals and loathsome acts,
Only entices them to get more snacks.
Wide-eyed they gaze to the stage,
If only they knew they were in but a cage.
Acts two and three flew by so quick,
No one noticed how now they were lovesick.
Absorbing every moment, laughing and gasping,
They fail to see they're in the trapping.
But as the las song is sung,
The stage's dancing is now done.
And with the character's one last breath he whispers,
"Entertained now you brood of vipers?"
Unable to think for themselves at all,
They stand in awe for the curtain call.
Life goes on for all cast and crew,
They comment to each other on how fast their children grew.
They strike the sets and load the trucks,
Away they go with all their lucks.
So happily it ends for them if ends at all,
But what of the audience can you recall?
Waking with mourning from their dreams,
Of living a life as played out in the scenes.
Depression, obsession, and envy set in,
For in the theater of life they went, never to return again.
by Jason Ray
August 11, 2004
The night was young as we walked home
hand-in-hand we floated beyond the clouds
beyond the skies, into the heavens
wishing the day would never end
embracing eachother for eternity
never to remember the heartaches of life
the touch of your fingers across my lips,
tracing this new memory we'll share forever
breathing together I whisper to you:
I'm not a man seeking acceptance
I'm not a man of a thousand chances
The truth is what I seek, and what I give
I must tell you this before I continue to live
so I'll lie here holding you close
leave if you want, but don't disturb me
let me dream of you if I can't dream with you
give me peace just this one time
A simple 'hello' you said to me
and captured my heart so simply
love at first sight doesn't exist,
that love would be based on looks alone,
but I loved you at first meeting
a simple date took me for the ride of my life
I never expected you to be so wonderful
you've changed my life now for forever
so I'll lie here holding you close
leave if you want, but don't disturb me
let me dream of you if I can't dream with you
give me peace just this one time
so as we walked along the road
the lights were dim, and the street was wet
at the door you touched my lips with yours
me heart's desire was fulfilled that instant
and I finally knew that it was for real
never again will I have to search
so endlessly for a chance at love
you're all i need, and all i want
please tell me you feel the same
so I'll lie here holding you close
leave if you want, but don't disturb me
let me dream of you if I can't dream with you
give me peace just this one time
the time on the clock says that you'll never leave
but time has been known to deceive
and we've come so far, so why go back?
we have hearts of love, not of black
all you have to do is simply tell me
say the words telling me that you love me
say whatever, anything at all
tell me something before i fall
or I'll die here holding you close
you'll leave when you do, but don't disturb me
let me dream of you if i can't dream with you
give me peace just this one time
let me rest in peace
I'll rest in peace tonight
Speeding down the lonely highway,
All is dark except the light from the dash
that illuminate the tears that hide behind my mask.
I look around.
No one in sight.
Is it safe?
Speeding so smoothly, how peaceful it should be.
I glance at the stars, how beautiful.
What's become of me?
How did I get like this?
Check my speed.
Where's this road leading?
Where's it taking me?
There's two paths.
They don't lead to the same place.
The first is what I want, what I love, joy.
The other is what I want, what I love, pleasing.
Both cannot be taken,
But why do I wonder when the choice is obvious?
A car passes.
I want it to change, I know it should change,
But it won't. I've tried. I try.
Why take the second path if it is bumpier?
Why can't I decide?
The first is perfect, with it's holes and hills.
I desire it, as well as the other.
How can I change when I want to change,
and have tried to change, but don't realy want to change, and can't?
Exhale.
I signal for help.
There is no one around.
I'll signal to turn this way for now.
Later I will change my signal.
That I can change.
Does it matter which way I go?
Yes.
They come out at different places.
The first comes out in my dreams.
What I have been afraid of losing all along.
The other, is it who I am?
Can't be, but is it?
It comes out in the arms of a stranger.
So why can't I follow the first path?
Why?
Why would I want to live behind a mask?