Random Leaf #2007 precisely cut

Drowned. Suffocated. Unloved.

Hated. Hanged. Betrayed.

Abandoned. Lied to. Beaten.

Hurt. Left. Stabbed.

What more?

Random Leaf #2006 precisely cut

They told me not to put

too much faith in strangers.

Only when I can provide for them,

when I am needed—

that’s when they’re kind to me.

Without that—

I’m no one.

Then I ask,

why put so little faith in the visible,

and more in the invisible?

I’d believe more

if—

Oh, how I wish—

miracles were more common,

and less of a mysterious way.

Random Leaf #2005 precisely cut

It will always be you—

and you alone,

the one to hold my humanity.

My anchor—

to keep me sane,

to keep me from ascending to godhood,

to not become another god.

Oh, how easy it is

to be—

the one worshipped,

the one believed in,

the one who takes in all the faith,

the one to be blamed—

and I could hardly care,

so long as I get to see you smile.

Random Leaf #2004 precisely cut

I focus on the line—

why does it go there,

and there—

then suddenly,

oh? a face.

Wait—how do I do the hair?

My hand just goes

there and there—

oh boy, now where are we?

Fine. That’s good enough.

Then the neck—oh boy, what happened?

The shoulders, the arms,

the torso, the legs—

I lift my pencil.

Not yet there.

Then I laugh.

Random Leaf #2003 precisely cut

And the magic of it—

you can smile even when you're unhappy.

You, an honest man—

the honestman—

are brave enough

to lie.

Why do you do that?

The world is cruel as it is,

and yet you try—

you try so hard just to make it

As though not.

Your kindness cannot

compare

to the vast sea of evil

the world offers up.

Why be a droplet to

go against it?

You're no tide nor ebb—

Why must you do that?

You alone are not enough

to cover

for everyone’s sin.

You aren’t the second coming.

You’re a nobody—

a stranger—

Maybe a stranger to you too.

Do you even know yourself?

So why—

how can you even?

Random Leaf #1094 precisely cut

Please do tell—how

can I stay patient

when already

the knife is at my throat?

I am an honest man—

I will always tell

the truth that I know.

I can be kind—

only if the world is.

And I can tolerate just so much.

So if you tell me

to wait for a miracle,

and it never happens—

and I truly need it now,

please,

do not be too harsh on me.

There’s only so much I can take—

call it too little,

say I’ve very little faith, but—

Random Leaf #1093 precisely cut

Over and over—on repeat,

I play it and cry—

crying more than before.

I am in awe of such beauty.

The magnificent beats, hums, and rhythms,

word for word,

in my mind I see the voice dance,

chords and lyrics hand in hand,

calling out to me.

All I can do is let my tears fall

—like a dam overflowing.

And the best part?

These are happy tears.

It took me years to realize

a song I used to play on repeat

was about my father.

I smile, taken aback—

all I can think:

“I cannot top this.”