Serenity Lost

Serenity Lost

I am without
The strength of a husband
Within me
Are heartbeats too few
To spare

I am without
The strength of a father
Within me
Is care compressed in time,
Limits, and conditions

I am without
The strength of a brother
Within me
Is a vacuum void of light
Capable of guiding

I am without
The strength of a son
Within me is gratitude overdone
And therefore disingenuous
Towards those most deserving of only what's real

I am without
The strength of a friend
Within me
Are needs too many
And gifts too few

I am without
The strength of a teacher
Within me
Are no lessons left
No lectures, speeches, nor anecdotes

I am without strength
And likely always was
After all, what kind of strength
Taps out at twenty-eight?