Introspection

                   Introspection



                Eye to I, my ego stares
                at what it should not see
                shadows of itself that never last
                images it never shares
                with anyone but me
                ghosts that dwell in mirrors of the past

                Voraciously, my soul devours
                food it should not crave
                and slakes its thirst with unfamiliar wine
                dreaming of forbidden hours
                that it could not save
                believing that its purpose was divine

                Silently I scream my hate
                for what I cannot be
                and shed my blood for what I never was
                knowing all the while that fate
                is still deluding me
                into thinking justice is the cause

                Then, as I embrace the pain
                of my reality,
                and realize that vainity is blind,
                I face my ego once again
                with sheer humility
                and marvel at the truth I come to find


                C.  Lon  R.  Bruso