Shadows

You can see it in their eyes
When the dreamers’ dreams are lost, unrealised.
And while they shake bewildered heads in disbelief,
The cynics dance around their grief.

You can breathe it in the air,
Yearning energy that’s never really there.
And when the doubters cast their darkness once again,
You try and shake the stench in vain.

You can hear them on the breeze,
Whispered judgements that can flip and dip and tease.
And even though you didn’t do the things they say,
They’re bound to judge you anyway.

You can sense it in the grime,
Tasteless shallow talk that never learnt to rhyme,
That sends a fragile goodness smashing to the ground
Where newborn dreams are never found.

You can touch them for a while,
Shadow people with a fake, beguiling smile.
Then watch your blackened hand fall helpless to your side
And wonder why on earth you tried.