There was a time

I thought that I would live forever

Nothing was out of reach

The horizon held my hopes and dreams

I relished every endeavor.

There was a time

The wind trailed through my lion’s mane

My roar loud and fierce

A bounce in my every step

Each link strong within my chain.

There was a time

Every challenge was an adventure

The thrill of the gamble

All or nothing

What else was life meant for?

There was a time

I kissed the girls and made them cry

Until I knew better

I’m not him anymore

At least I try.

There was a time

I stood with open arms

Sacrificing myself

Too long it took for lessons learned

Crawling back from self-induced harm.

There was a time

When my life was full of hope

Failures mounted

Pipe dreams unfulfilled

Each day just trying to cope.

There was a time

I sought the company of others

A leader and his pact

The façade of camaraderie

Not realizing that part of me it smothers.

There was a time

There was a brashness in my youth

Now tempered by age

The hardest lessons learned

Leaving me crushed by the truth.

There was a time

I only heard my own voice

Now I listen

Every voice as important as my own

It has been my greatest choice.