how to lose your soul to complacency

My life meant something.
When I was young,
the thoughts flowed so quickly,
words rolled off my tongue,
I was sharp and excited, eager and bright,
I challenged the darkness and mastered the light.

But somewhere, and somehow
my perspective turned 'round,
I yelled in confusion but got lost in the sound,
I let other people shape who I could be,
and I slipped ever so silently into mediocrity.

I've taught myself to be patient with my premonitions,
I've taken the too-vibrant colors out of my compositions,
I've settled for things I never wanted,
My goals fade to black and my dreams become haunted.

My words lose their value, my thoughts become dull,
my heart's a machine and my mind is a skull,
because this is what happens when you don't look inside-
I can run from my self but I've learned I can't hide.

-kb