Figureheads

You say “the body is a temple”
but I don’t pray all that often
I just turn up pretty poisons
Defiling myself with each concoction
You say “the mind has power”
What i think is what will be
My Reality is just the product
Of choices I choose not to seek
You say “the heart is like the ocean”
Deep under waves of secrets
But My soul is like a lifeboat
In the storm searching for Jesus
You say “life is what you make it”
You Drown or you keep your head up
But my vessel was Set on fire
And I can’t pour from an empty cup
You say “trust your feet to guide you”
So hesitantly I stepped outward
And Stumbled directly into the current
Of societal terrors I once encountered
You say “the world is your oyster”
But there’s a fight for pearls inside
Mental health isn’t on a store shelf
And this shell is no place to hide
You say “all feelings are temporary”
But temporary cuts leave marks
You just want to see me scabbing
But I pick it open from the start
You say “turn your face toward the sun
So the shadows will fall behind”
But I want my demons out in front
Reminders to fight against the tide