Jason Whitaker

I close my eyes,

wishing the things I’ve seen

would go away,

as the memories linger

on my mind.

Those haunting times

remain so real

as though occurring

again and again.

I search for a better thing,

his body next to mine

or his lips pressed against mine,

times I wish would come again

but here I am alone.

I close my eyes

wish the bad away

and the good to come again

but the bad memories

overwhelm all I am

so that all I am is a broken reflection

of the boy I once was destined to be.