Draping for the draperies

Liquid mercury spills from quivering lips
demonized, scrutinized
the attrition of dying dreams grow at an alarming rate
desire and passion now just a folly...
wayward vagabonds left upon the road less traveled,
the treasure of sunken ships

a smile, a laugh, a banty stride
all no more than a smokescreen,
a slight of hand
...fodder to cover the emptiness inside

picking up rocks
coveted memories scattered near and far
solidified tick-tocks of who we once were
the long ago innocence
the wish upon a star

draping for the draperies
a collection of drab, colorless momentoes,
an afterlife of what used to be

Can you remember the vivid shades and shape of whom one once thought, "This is me...
                      this is me..."

All that we are,
all that we are meant to attain
will never be beyond reach of our hand...
but always it will be our choice,
to grasp it, hold it, take control,
or let it flow thru open fingers...
like so many grains of sand