Shedding The Old Skin (Poetry)

I have stayed too long
in this body of mine —
it doesn’t want me here
the arrows point towards the door
with darkness waiting near

The crooked road has humped its back
my naked shadow runs
a refugee from ruined life
a target for sly guns

The plans — the dreams all lost to flames
pride brought at last to heel
and sharp the bone of ignorance
makes each regret more real

I wasn’t wise, I wasn’t good
such clarity’s too late
pack up the flesh and click the latch
slip quietly through the gate