The Break

Starting out, world at your feet
And the future in your hands
Kicked down but each time you stand
Nothing seems to go as planned

And the walls are closing in
Suffocating
Again and again
Only so much you can take
- to the break

Cry until you crawl to scream
It seems like a million tears
Forgot what it's like to dream
Push yourself to the extreme

Some know the break
... because you've had to be strong
- for so long

And the walls are closing in
Suffocating
Again and again
Only so much you can take
- to the break

Hold on, hold on, hold on 
- 'til this paralyzing feeling's gone
Will it ever be?

© Kay Irvin

Compass

Black cloud towering me
Powdering down, through my bones
What are the knowns ... for those souls
- Discerning glass houses,
Where they cunningly throw stones

Some make their own screwed-up world
Strange gravity held my compass
But I don't want to be a part
(of that existence)
Oh, with my bare hands
- Punch a hole in the atmosphere
Settle the quiet, distant star
See everyone for what they are
Have it all ... made clear
Let go ... of all those
... that don't give a damn
Hold tight to the dear
And they hold me back
(would the sky stay black?)
(would shadow cast,... disparaging?)

Unsettled, uneasy
My thoughts weave twisted branches
Turmoil, my life matches
Will my mind ever rest?
- Peace say,... what are the chances?

Some make their own screwed-up world
Strange gravity held my compass
But I don't want to be a part
(of that existence)
Oh, with my bare hands
- Punch a hole in the atmosphere
Settle the quiet, distant star
See everyone for what they are
Have it all ... made clear
Let go ... of all those
... that don't give a damn
Hold tight to the dear
And they hold me back
(would the sky stay black?)
(would shadow cast,... disparaging?)

Love, come fight for me
Hold me together
While I fall apart
Love, take confusion
- From this odyssey
Banish the cracks that threaten end

(c) Kay Irvin

Still I Rise

Low is the light
Radiance slight
Where to this mired, tired spirit lies
Darkness sired chamber, midst my eyes
Still I rise

Struggle covers
Sadness hovers
Above, around, smothering skies
Blackness comes, coloring reprise
Still I rise

Conflict and crumble
Unseen scars, new rave
Buckle or rumble
Blitz, pin, counter brave

Take it all in
Play it to win
Enough maelstrom, enter surprise
Midnight Anthem, checkmate replies
Still I rise
The Queen Dance
And I rise
Still I rise

(c) Kay Irvin

Contrary

I swore I would not go back
To what once was
Love lost
Accepting a tepid rose
Only to watch it wither on the vine
There's line
I've drawn for self promises

80 to 10 m.p.h
Oh, think again
Our long conversations have ...
Come to an end
Stamina, you're not engaged
I'm contrary
And you've got nothing but lax to defend

Frustrated by defiance
Met your cool match
Love lost
Your would-be conquer has flaws
That imperfection proves to serve me well
Do tell
Challenge to your idle heart

80 to 10 m.p.h
Oh, think again
Our long conversations have ...
Come to an end
Stamina, you're not engaged
I'm contrary
And you've got nothing but lax to defend

There's settling but I won't tolerate
Boredom and vacancy, where you could try
(Goodbye ... Now, love lost ... Goodbye)

(c) Kay Irvin

Feeling Through The Dark

Such swirling to the edge of madness
Such tense, boney hands and tortured mind
Numb and unassuming is a mask
Just a soulless darkling there to find

But all the times so repressed have torn
And a lion from the lamb is born
Feeling through the dark

Shadows cast to a 4 am wall
Contorted when the night terrors splay
Those tired, mired hands thrash like claws
Those crooked shapes scrape demons away

From all the times so repressed ... roars warn
And a lion from the lamb is born

Dark places, condescending faces
Come rushing, crushing, mocking lost hopes
Finally, once more
I am at the end of my ropes
Feeling through the dark

Oh, call down the courage
And the lion lives
Don't give up, don't give in
Ready the bold spikes
Let the fight begin
Again and again
(again and again)

(c) Kay Irvin