The Fringe Dweller's Lament

For the first time in a few weeks, I have the opportunity to visit Onestop Poetry and take part in their picture prompt challenge.  This weeks Sunday challenge features the photography of  Jacob F. Lucas. His photograph "The Show Must Go On", as seen below, provided some great inspiration, especially when I reflect upon the week, one that ended with me getting my knuckles rapped publicly on a social networking site, due to the content of a tweet I posted.  Needless to say, this particular individual was of a particular faith, that didn't appreciate the validity of anothers'.  I am still angered by it, as it is my belief, that in this world, you need to have faith, but one that resonates in acceptance, compassion, generosity, kindness and love.  Not judgement, let alone blindness.  Needless to say, I'm down a follower, but no doubt, one that I am better off without.  Okay...time to step down from my soapbox and present to you my latest.  Take it for what you will, and if I offend you or your god...let me know in the comment section. :)  Away we go...

The Fringe Dweller's Lament

Welcome to our midnight show

The only one you'll see

As we invite you to explore

Our dark reality

No tickets will you need, my friend

As you join us for this ride.

Through nightmares and truths forgotten

Where fear and faith reside.

No coins or tokens to pay your way

Your scars are proof enough

That you have battled as have we

And traveled roads real rough

We've been waiting in the shadows

Recording every deed

Watching how you thrive in darkness

A brilliant, unique seed

We are here to strip away

The "YOU" that they have shaped

And we are here to show you now

The beauty you create.

No decorations to help you hide

No dollars to wash you clean

No god, no devil, just here and now

Amongst your fellow fiends

Your truth will be the only star

The lead will be your own

As you craft your life your way

And your truth you'll own

Strip away the velvet curtains

Exposing flaws to see

That our red carpet is really black

With the blood you bleed

You are actor, you are fan

Your mind grows discontent

As you realize you're the victim of

the Fringe Dweller's Lament

Alone in stolen hours

Crafting words for you

For the masses will not love

What it is you do.

Alone on rode~off center stage

No audience to cheer

For the masses will not pay

For what you hope they hear.

And so the fight continues

For unheard thoughts you lent

As you come to terms with

Your Fringe Dweller's Lament

~Pretty is as pretty does~

~And "pretty" pays the rent~

~You realize that you are doomed~

~To live the Fringe Dweller's Lament~

Natasha Head