Rekindled

My eyes come alive and I read
those sentimental verses of sap,
I look in the mirror and laugh
where did that come from?

I peel away the sugar coated skin,
flinging it away, as far away as I can,
That thing has crept over me again,
that horror that changes me,
sucks the life from me,
and makes me demure.

How I hate that look on my face,
staring back at me, this is not
who I am, I worked too hard
to give it all up for nothing.

Let me open that box
empty it and lie in it
for this path is death
and it is not me, I am
the pulsing in the night,
that all men reach for
and I will not be dimmed,
I will not tiptoe
I command attention
with this face that inspires men.