Counted Gold

To last forever,

to love what won’t.

All those years were,

Counted gold.

Slipped through my fingers,

Fell to the ground.

I was no miser,

Tears make no sound.

When I’m sorry was worth something,

When I was  believed.

I see now hope’s not coming,

Of truth I am bereaved.

When words were blades,

And healing too.

When I was whole,

And the lies were true.

When the mask was real,

The laughter wasn’t forced.

When I really was,

What I pretend to be.

When my heart was on my sleeve,

And I knew nothing of grief.

When the stories were sad,

‘fore my world went mad.

before the veil was ripped away, 

‘fore I had more to say,

before I too soon grew old.

Before these years were counted gold.