Seasons Poem by Olaniran Oluwasina

I was a tree with tender bark, strong of
stem and unyielding
Then loggers came and cut me down, wasted
were the years of being
now i'm a slim and slender reed, i sway with
life's winds
Because i want to live

I was a cobra; most feared i was
and tales began of serpent-sting
venomous was my renown
till trappers came and took my fangs
and nw i slither from hole to hole
for life is hard and i must live

i was a cherub, my name brought smiles
my laughter happy, people rejoiced
i gave my being to spreading light
and love and laughter, joy of life
till slayers came and took my wings,
my inner sight and stole my peace
and now i wander in darkness dim
shying from contact yet needing it
i have lost my zest, i'm just a shell
i need a touch, magic, some love
so once again.....i can live

I'm torn and weary, my soul is teary
and many shades of grey i wear
clustered as scales upon my back
i yearn for light, and love and air
to touch, to feel....and deeply still
to dance, to laugh and freely breathe
to soar, to heal...and wholly be
at peace with myself, my mind and the world

i fight this battle....every day
pain is my love, cold kisses my heart
i'm splintered by memories buried deep
fragmented personalities burning still
i want to become whole again

so...who will hold me by the hand?
build me up and help me stand
now i'm a man with deep desires
but above all, i desire to live