We Stand Alone

“We’re born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we’re not alone.”
— Orson Welles, 1915-1985


I raise my head to greet

The first break of morning rays. 

And though I lost myself in a midnight merge,
I stand alone, as my daylight shadow knows.

Upon our first breath we cry,
In grasp of this separate state.
Even when first held in Mother's arms

Each gasp, until the last, alone we will take.

As we grow, in our silence we are shown,
A mirror reflection of our inward mind.
Every atom without only comes to be known
From the I that lies somewhere deep inside.

We attempt to traction against our lone rapid descent,
Down our singular inverted trek. We long to connect
by the warmth imparted with another in whom
Within, we attempt to somehow lose ourselves.
But, separation cruel and cold vanishes away this lie.

While under the shadow of the worlds gaze
We respond by name and try and stake our claim.
Though we dwell in the snare of the multitudes
The silent specter self, yet still closer lays
In our first hours, we stand close by those who love us most.
As well, with our dyeing breath, when is cast our last severance
As a single onerous one into the deep sleep we slide.
In this life we will always exist in the same tide.
From the moment we enter, until our final exit .
Even while touched by all the soul's we've ever
Loved or known, we will still forever stand alone.