A Letter to My Reflection

Dear Mirror,

Fuck you and everything you believe in. All this confidence, all this ambition, all this momentum, all for nothing. How can I believe in you when no one believes in me? Truth, faith, and commitment are nothing but the diluted components of pseudo-security. Careful now, reflection. Remember, you're just an image. Everyone sees you; everyone loves you: the success story, the glamor, the pretty shell that covers the chaos. That's all you are--a costume, a mask, a glorified facade. But you have no substance. You are a worthless dream. I am the reality here--me and all my flaws. And when I'm judged, labeled, or frowned upon, you always disappear. When the truth approaches, you flee. You leave me to my scars like a wound without a bandage.

No one cares to look at you when the negatives come out. No one sees accomplishments anymore; all they see is failure. People never want the whole picture. They want the best or the worst. The pinnacle and the pit will always invoke the most attention, separately. Very few accept the entire story. Most just want the interesting chapters, the peaks and valleys of the roller coaster. But I can't live to please everyone anymore. I can't embrace a fabricated life. Your reign has been overthrown by truth my old friend. I used to see myself in you, but now there's only lies. You've led me down a path of falsity and pain. So, I bleed these words and cry these lines with no remorse for you. Oh mighty reflection, your power has run its course. Playing make-believe was fun. The popularity was exciting. The attention you received was amazing. I could have never done that alone. But it doesn't relent the fact that you are fake. You no longer have a place in my world. And if people like me less when you're gone, so be it.

From this point on, I will never call to you for support, search for your confident face, or attempt to catch a glimpse of what might have been. I used to split myself in two for you. But now, when I look into the mirror, I will see myself--my scars along with my successes, my pain along with my pride. I am a better person whole than divided. This world tramples the weak, and I am so much stronger without you. Never show your ugly face again. You no longer exist.

Sean Williams

Proceed Without Caution

Some clown tattoos and a little heavy metal
Loud mouth with a heart that never settles
Down to earth, but on another level
Unlike most, I wear my scars like medals.
I take the parts I lose and stitch them to my sleeve.
Beaten and bruised, but these are memories.
These are my core, my reason to breathe.
To remind me how I triumphed over threats of defeat.
Regret's a disease. I forget them with ease.
Life is just a race now and I'm taking the lead.
I hurdle the weak and trample the strong.
I heard all their screams but I have to move on.
Abandon my caution, my fear, and my care.
Life is too short to hope for shit that ain't there.
I can't suspend my ambition for society's sake
I can't pretend to listen if the words are entirely fake.
I don't try to be great. I don't even want to be saved.
I'd rather be a dead individual than a popular slave.
I'll never be a copy or an acceptable face.
I am not appropriate enough to be considered okay.
I'm not a member or a client; I'm causing static for statistics.
Remember I'm defiant to your demographic shitlist.
And I spit fire so you should close your eyelids.
Unless you want to see the truth from a wicked ex-convict,
carry on pussies. Onto the next conflict.
You say we all have the right to remain silent.
But I choose my right to never stay quiet.

3 Minute Rant

Face it, you're basic. You will never be like me. Taste it, embrace it. Vindication is so sweet. Revenge is tough, but it isn't enough. I want victory wrapped in triumph and glory covered in blood. I choose metaphorical violence over allegorical silence. Like Vlad the impaler, I put bodies on sticks. I make the loudest statements without ever saying shit. I dine in the presence of victims and darkness, drink champagne with devil, but he's my next target. I've seen doom and terror, been through gloom and error. Seen every peak and valley in this human era. Lived like Jack and Sally but without the presents. This isn't Christmas; this is a motherfuckin' nightmare. It took a long time to discover that life doesn't fight fair. Been through the grinder, been through ringer, been punched, kicked and spat on, but kept my middle finger  up in the air, with no breath left to spare, with blood in mouth and teeth on the floor, I will never go down without asking for more. I watched my world come crashing down. So we ain't friends; you're all just ashes now. Nothing but a pile of mistakes and bad dreams. But I've risen with a smile, as devious as I can be. I represent the person that you wish could be. I add the 3rd dimension to everything 2D, I can't be understood because I'm just too deep. But let me go in depth for a minute real quick. If width equals strength and length equals drive, I am currently the largest motherfucker alive. - SW