Haunted

Gaze deep into my eyes and you will see
Stare into my soul and you will know
You will know the hell I have endured
You will know the heartache I carry
You will know burden of forced charm
These eyes have seen atrocities committed
by seemingly mild-mannered family men
Car accidents muggings, homicides
and other dangers of being an American
These eyes are desperate to forget all
of the horrors of man made violence

Gaze deep into my eyes and you will see
Stare into my soul and you will find
You will find a stressed, fragile man
You will find secrets that can destroy
You will find lies upholding truths
These eyes have seen cowardly acts by
seemingly moral government officials
Cover ups, scandals, quaint resignations
and other pitfalls of political life
These eyes are desperate to forget all
of the shame of a media obsessed culture

Gaze deep into my eyes and you will see
Stare into my soul and you will learn
You will learn about living through art
You will learn about the joy of creation
You will learn about enduring brush strokes
These eyes have seen towering achievements
by seemingly meek, unassuming curmudgeons
Poetry, painting, live music, comedy
and other examples of pure expression
These eyes are desperate to share love
For it is not always a curse to be haunted