beaten and unable to beat

how ridiculous
to continue in this vein of self-torture
given just enough to cling to,
just enough to seal it shut
knowing he is a fool for the dreams he has,
and dreaming them still

breaking hearts and breaking bottles
broken words from beautiful mouths
starving ears lapping up the poison
that craving that won't be pacified

so seeing the beauty he owns the pain
over and over and over and over
refusing to learn the lesson
just for the chance... for the chance

perfect men and perfect skin
perfect body, perfect smile
passing over something 'blemished'
refusing love
surrendering fulfillment

everything wanted but somehow not enough,
surely there is another who has it all
the pretty bow and the pretty soul
with perfect teeth and perfect beliefs

it would be too easy... so we make it hard
it would feel too good... so we stand alone
it would be too right... so we make it wrong

so then, a piece for you... and for you, and you
and what is left but something beaten and unable to beat
and nothing. nothing for him, and nothing for anyone.
how many fractures before the glue won't hold?

it's a tired game, played by tired men
who want nothing but to hunt for something
that is right in front of them.