45 Caliber Year

Hope slips through my fingers
Mercurial in its lust to vanish
Taking with it youth and health
As time refuses to stand still
It has become a battle of will

I have hit another caliber year
A monument to wasted youth
Angel of death lurking in the shadows
Fearing him not, we have met before
He has yet to settle the score

Standing at the precipice to life
Needing something to believe in
Battles lost having left their scars
An eternal fight continues to rage on
Internal skirmishes begin again at dawn

Darkness settles in like the fog of war
My soul seeking refuge deep in my heart
Where my ladies love tends to my wounds
She understands not the fight that rages within
Spending time tending my wounds wanting me to win

I have fought this battle for all of time
Each life brings the demons anew
Never shall I win, hoping only not to lose
Let them come with all their might
Once again I shall stand and fight

Slashing at the enemy within
Blood deep within my nails
Knowing each cut digs deeper
As I rage this battle inside
Not letting go, too much pride

Another year lay before me
Heading off into the night
Now I lay me down to sleep
Knowing that the battle shall return
Until I succumb and my soul shall burn