Go down the list
Of chances missed
Forgetting some
No matter what
Moments persist
Including this
The passing time
Seconds defined
By flawed design
Far too much
Or lack thereof
No in-between

Half true the new you arrives
An understudy rehearsing lines
Without wounds
It's barely you
Barely you

The padded paw
Reveals a claw
Dug deeper still
The open door
Of pain ignored
Nursing you
Penetrate
the passing thought
Now you're lost
A ghost star-crossed
Eager to haunt
It's purpose served

Red and blue
A future lies
Your understudy
Learned the lines
Without wounds
It's barely you
Barely you
Barely you
Barely you