Flames

Ever stare through the mirror’s glass

And ask the ghost staring back,

“Is this the dream that I built or broke?”

Childhood’s halo now tangled in smoke.

I painted stars on ceilings I can’t reach,

Taught my fears the lessons my parents preached.

My idols wore their failure like skin,

I tried it on — it fit too thin.

I carved ambition into sand,

Watched the tide erase my plans.

Every promise I made turned to static,

The sound of hope gone erratic.

Chasing phantoms in the rearview sky,

Every reflection asks me why.

I’m burning alive in a flame that won’t die!

It feeds on the doubts I try to deny!

Vision blurred through borrowed eyes,

Truth hides where my future lies!

Most people see a road, I see a maze,

Maze! Maze!

Every turn another phase.

I’m walking blind with borrowed light,

Still chasing dreams that died mid-flight!

I wanted to be the man I adored!

Now I’m the echo — the closing door!

Build it, break it, build again!

The fire feeds where my hope ends!

Life feels lighter when it’s slipping away,

Fear keeps my shadow from fading to gray.

Every dream’s a tongue that bites,

Still I whisper through sleepless nights.

The path I paved was never mine!

The detour’s become divine!

I’m burning alive in the flame that wouldn’t die!

Fed it with truth — fed it with lies!

Can’t find peace through the lenses I wear,

Maybe blindness means I still care!

Maybe I’ll never be who I planned,

But the ashes still dance in my hand.

If failure’s the fire that keeps me warm,

Then I’ll burn — and be reborn