freak show

the invisible needle and strings slowly suture

the wounds where my wings used to be.

where there once was a heavenly power, 

now these jagged threads are fused to me.

they planted metal rods in place of my bones,

strung me up like a puppet on death row.

i cry tears of blood and shed my gold,

but all they do is cheer on the freak show.

reduced to a mockery while humanity watches,

my dangling limbs rise and fall every night.

let them think they can chain my soul -

they haven’t seen my freedom put up a fight.

they take my suffering at their hands for art

but i won’t be forced to serve on my knees.

i control the colours of my masterpiece,

and only i can paint my truth so effortlessly.

so let me paint them a prettier picture:

streets that run red when the curtains disappear,

humanity snuffed out into pitch-black darkness -

my final act as the puppet becomes the puppeteer.