I wanted to be a singer
but my voice would break
on the high notes and wasn't
strong.
I wanted to be a musician
but my fingers slipped from the keys
when I'd grip them
like I was drowning.
I wanted to be a poet
but the words drowned the lines
fell off of the page
and washed away cheap Christmas decorations.
I wanted to be a soldier
rifle slung carefully
but the bullet casings
burnt my arms.
I wanted to be a Prince
but I wasn't born
to the right family
besides, I didn't have the nose.
I wanted to run
with my feet sore, bandaged
and still hopeful
but my heels wouldn't budge.
I wanted to see the you laugh
but you called my jokes dry, humourless
bitter
so I bit down 'till I bled.
I wanted to make you happy
as you woke
but you said nightmares
consume you.