when i look nothing is at seems
they claim loneliness
as a relative
a piece of family they own

without desire –
invade,
and sometimes invade –
in my life

behind the faces
the smiles –
behind the clothes
and,
the personality expressed

and i almost fell to my knees
when you said i had a sparkle
but strength kept me up
as it has through this debacle

it feels like
the chains and the straps –
could break –
their stranglehold