The treasured dreams of my youth
rapidly grow old and stale.
I cling to frayed threads of hope
that somehow I will prevail.
As I exhaust all possibilities
I’m unwillingly made to face
that lies are my only lifeline,
in this harsh, unfeeling place.
Wrapped in cozy delusions
I was sheltered from the pain.
Now that they are threadbare
what is left to keep me sane?
I just want to keep on running
from the truths invading my head.
Denial is a cherished friend
when your ‘happy ending’ is dead.
This poem is for this week’s new Trifecta challenge. The challenge this week calls for a story or poem between 33 and 333 words in length. It also must feature the word: Exhaust. Not just any definition of the word exhaust will be excepted though, only the third one which is to consider a subject completely or try out every number of something. If you are interested in trying out the challenge, the link above will take you there!
Misanthropic Muse 
Good one! I like it! 🙂
I really like this. I was so drawn in from the start that I didn’t notice the prompt word. I went back to look for it only to find it at the beginning. It’s sad, but nicely written, and quite moving.
A sad picture of lost youth and innocence, but well told and a good read. Well done!
Like the cozy delusion line
i love so many lines in this poem.. the pain really went through. beautifully written.
This gave me an anxiety attack. I like the “frayed threads of hope” and then return to the theme in “cozy delusions” [that are] … “threadbare”. Nice work Muse.
This brings up a lot of strong emotions. Great job!
Denial is such a powerful thing.
Beautifully done.
Painful. I’d like to hope that the happy ending being dead is a delusion too, and that there’ll be a turn for the better down the road.
The emotions in this are really well written!
Well-told tale of pain. The last 2 lines left such a hopeless feeling…so sad.
That harsh, unfeeling place. I hear ya. Sucks, too, when the happy endings die.
sad… very sad.
I “deny” your poem and insist
life’s worth living by giving
I love the last line: “Denial is a cherished friend
when your ‘happy ending’ is dead.” You’ve perfectly captured a very human reaction to failure and loss. Very well done!
Very well done, strong feelings well written. 🙂
Denial really can be a comfort and a coping mechanism of sorts.
You say so much,so strongly in so few words!Though it is laced with sadness,a little hopelessness of lost youth or times,I love it:-)
I can so relate to this – well written.
Sad and beautiful.