Poetry — Taylor S. Presley

Echoes of Fire

In the dark, where embers lay,
Fading remnants of yesterday.
I can feel them, still burning bright,
Silent echoes that light the night.

You tried to drown me, snuff out the flame,
But even ashes whisper my name.
Through every scar, through every fight,
I rise again in darkened light.

Echoes of fire, they keep me strong,
Burning bright where I belong.
Flames may fade, but I survive,
In the embers, I come alive.
Echoes of fire, fierce and bold,
A strength that only scars can hold.

You see the smoke but not the heat,
A hidden blaze that won’t retreat.
Through every wound, I find my way,
Carving light from walls of gray.

You thought the fire would die with time,
But these ashes are yours, not mine.
I’ll rise again, from dark to dawn,
In every ember, I am reborn.

In every flicker, there’s a light,
A spark still hidden from the night.
Through every scar, a flame remains,
Echoing strength beyond the pain.

Echoes of fire, they light my way,
Burning bright in dawn’s first ray.
Flames may fade, but I survive,
Through every ember, I come alive.
Echoes of fire, fierce and whole,
Unbreakable—flame in my soul.

From ashes cold to a blaze anew,
I am the fire, strong and true.

Toxic Love

I thought I could fix you, make you better, make you whole,
But I was blind to the damage you’d take from my soul.
I kept on holding on, hoping you’d see the light,
But you stayed in the dark, pulling me into the fight.

You were fire and passion, but you burned me out,
Kept me spinning in circles, full of fear and doubt.
I wanted to save you, but you dragged me down,
Lost in the game, where no love is found.

This toxic love, it’s a twisted game we play,
Running in circles, while my heart fades away.
I wanted forever, but you wanted control,
Took all I had, till I couldn’t feel whole.
Toxic love, it’s poison in disguise,
Your sweet lies hid the truth in your eyes.

You lit up the room with your jealous flame,
But underneath the heat, it was all just a game.
I tried to stay steady, while you ran me cold,
Now I’m here, standing alone in a story untold.

You promised me heaven, but gave me the hell,
Trapped in the highs, where I fell and fell.
I thought if I loved you, you’d finally change,
But I see now, you were always the same.

Now I’m breaking free, from the chains you made,
I’ll build my walls strong, no more masquerade.
You won’t drag me back into your storm,
I see my worth now, I’ll never conform.

This toxic love, it’s a lesson learned in time,
No more chasing the highs, no more losing my mind.
I wanted forever, but I needed me,
Now I’m letting go, finally set free.
Toxic love, you won’t have a hold,
Now I see through your lies, and my heart’s turning cold.

I won’t be your project, your fix, your fool,
In this toxic love, I’m done playing by your rules.

Mask of Glass

You wore that smile like a crown of gold,
But underneath, you’re ice and stone-cold.
Eyes like a mirror, reflecting back lies,
A silver tongue with venom disguised.

You pull them in with every move,
Spinning webs they never knew.
But I see through the cracks you hide,
All that charm’s just a thin disguise.

Behind that mask of glass, there’s nothing real,
A hollow heart that forgot how to feel.
You play the hero, but you’re not the same,
All your beauty’s just a twisted game.
Yeah, I see through the charm you cast,
All you are is a mask of glass.

You walk through rooms like you own the night,
But shadows grow under flashing lights.
Every word, a perfect play,
But you’re just feeding on those you betray.

You pull the strings, you spin the scene,
But it’s all a script from a dead-end dream.
Your mask might fool the crowd for now,
But I see the cracks—you’re breaking down.

You’re just a ghost in borrowed light,
Fading away in the dead of night.
You smile and dance, but it won’t last,
‘Cause even mirrors shatter fast.

Behind that mask of glass, there’s nothing real,
Just empty smiles that forgot how to feel.
You played the hero, but I see the scheme,
Every look, every line, is just part of the dream.
Yeah, I see through the charm you cast,
All you are is a mask of glass.

So wear that crown, but it’s all a lie,
Even stars fall from the sky.
You’re fading now, just smoke and ash,
All you left was a mask of glass.

Forever the Blame

Every fall, every scar you wear,
It’s always the world that wasn’t fair.
You point at the storm, blame it for the rain,
But you built the clouds that carry the shame.

Always the hero of your own tale,
Casting others as the ones who fail.
The weight of your past, like armor you wield,
Wrapped tight in wounds that never healed.

Forever the blame, but never the cause,
Living in shadows, counting your flaws.
A cycle of sorrow, spinning out of control,
Lost in a script where you’re never whole.
But if you’re always the victim, always the prey,
How can you see the role that you play?

Every hand that reaches, you push away,
Saying no one understands the price you pay.
Buried in anger, tangled in fear,
A ghost of the past that’s haunting here.

You wear the weight of every slight,
Shining a light on your endless fight.
But if you’re always bruised and torn,
Who’s the one keeping the thorns?

It’s a heavy crown, forged from pain,
But it only brings darkness, it only brings rain.
What if you let go, let yourself see,
The world isn’t all out to make you bleed?

Forever the blame, but never the cause,
Living in shadows, counting your flaws.
But if you break the chain, let go of the scars,
You’ll find your truth among the stars.
No longer the victim, no longer confined,
You’ll rise from the ashes, reclaiming your mind.

So lay down the weight, leave behind the chains,
Step out of the story, step out of the pain.
When you stop being the shadow, you’ll finally find,

The power you’ve hidden, the strength of your mind.

‍ ‍Crown of Lies

You walk the room like a king of stone,
Eyes on the throne, as if it’s your own.
Taking and breaking, what’s yours to claim,
Every glance, another link in your chain.

You hold the world in the palm of your hand,
As if it’s your right, like it’s been planned.
But what you don’t see, in all your might,
Is the emptiness hiding behind that light.

With a crown of lies and a hollow reign,
You take and you take, till there’s nothing but pain.
You want the world, you want the praise,
But kingdoms crumble under pride’s blaze.
You think you’re owed the earth and sky,
But even kings of dust must die.

Every gift’s just a price you’ll demand,
Like the world owes you a helping hand.
You’re just the hero in your twisted tale,
But no one’s left to lift your veil.

You’re building towers of glass and sand,
Ruling your world with a selfish hand.
But all those bricks, they start to crack,
As the world you stole comes burning back.

In your castle, you hide from the truth,
Locked away in a gilded youth.
But what you gain with hands of greed,
Is just the empty weight of need.

So take your crown, your broken throne,
And wear it well, but know you’re alone.
For all you’ve taken, all you’ve lied,
You’re left with ashes and a king’s pride.

Smear Campaign

Who do you think you are, hiding behind a mask?
A wolf in disguise, blending into the crowd.
You play the victim when eyes aren’t watching,
Aligning yourself with others, each smile a crafted shield,
So the world sees only what you want them to see.

Your connections are built on borrowed emotions,
A foundation that would shatter under its own weight.
Together, you carry the weight of shared pretense,
Bound not by trust, but by a need to conceal.
Every bond, a thread spun from carefully woven illusions.

You hide behind secrets and half-truths,
Stories that would unravel if the full light touched them.
But I won’t sink to that depth; I refuse to reflect what you’ve become.

Keep weaving your web, painting over the cracks,
But remember, your world is a mirage built on smoke and mirrors.
One whisper, one truth, and it all fades to dust,
Leaving only the remnants of deception,

And the silence of everything hidden beneath.

Who do you think you are, hidden behind a mask?
A wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing, an architect of lies.
Playing the victim, orchestrating from the shadows,
Aligning with those who oppose me, each smile a calculated move,
All for the world to witness your silent alliance of disdain.

Your connection is rooted in nothing but shared contempt,
An empty foundation as hollow as your camaraderie.
Together, you bear the weight of mutual shame,
Bound by secrets, held up by thin threads of illusion.
Every link, a carefully crafted pretense in a web of false fame.

Each of you clings to well-kept secrets,
Stories I could unveil, truths left unsaid.
But I won’t sink to that level; I refuse to mirror the emptiness you wear.

Go on, spin your web, layer your lies,
But know this world you’ve built is fragile, held by brittle ties.
A single touch, a whispered truth, and it could all unravel,
Leaving only the dust of deception,

And the silence of all you tried to bury beneath a broken reflection.

Flying Monkeys

They flutter into view with grins wide and sweet,
Friend requests that feel like shadows on my feed.
A “like” here, a comment there—so subtle, so sly,
But each one’s just a messenger, sent to pry.

They land with charm, they’re all in disguise,
Feigning innocence with those curious eyes.
But behind every message, every tag they send,
Is a dark whisper from the one pulling strings again.

Oh, flying monkeys, spreading lies on the breeze,
Disguised as friends, but here to appease.
They circle around, reporting back to the queen,
Caught in her spell, loyal to her unseen.
With each share, each like, they tighten the bind,
Flying monkeys—deceitfully aligned.

They swoop down with stories, “concerns” in disguise,
Checking up on the past, painting truth as lies.
Every comment’s a net, every “hello” a snare,
While she sits on her throne, pretending not to care.

It’s a kingdom built on smoke and feigned grace,
And they’re the soldiers, keeping everyone in place.
They smile like allies, but their purpose is clear—
To spread the witch’s whispers, planting seeds of fear.

They think they’re free, they think they see,
But each one’s a puppet on strings they can’t see.
Bound by the charm of the witch’s guise,
They dance to her tune, lost in her lies.
They don’t know they’re trapped, chasing shadows and blame,
Blind to the part they play in her game.

Oh, flying monkeys, spreading lies on the breeze,
Disguised as friends, serving schemes with ease.
They’re the eyes and ears for the witch’s command,
A web of control spun by her own hand.
With each share, each like, they keep her fed,
Flying monkeys, painted in black and red.

So here they come, on a whisper, on a thread,
Wings spread wide, every word misled.
Flying monkeys in the age of “friends,”
Bringing tales to the witch, where loyalty ends.
I see them now, I know their game—

And I refuse to play.

Lines in the Sand

You push and pull, try to blur the lines,
Cross every fence like it’s your right.
Every inch I guard, you find a way to invade,
But I’ve drawn the line, and I won’t let it fade.

You act like it’s yours, like I’m here to mold,
But I’m not the clay for your hands to hold.
Your games, your lies—they won’t tear me down,
This is my life, my battleground.

These are my lines in the sand,
I’m taking back what you don’t understand.
You can’t push through, can’t take control,
This is my heart, this is my soul.
Every inch I defend, every wall I stand,
You’ll see the strength in these lines in the sand.

You twist my words to fit your mold,
Invade my thoughts with a grip so cold.
But the walls you break just build me higher,
Fueling the flames, lighting my fire.

You’ll learn that respect is earned, not claimed,
And I’m not your puppet in this twisted game.
You can try to bend, but I won’t break,
These lines in the sand, my soul at stake.

I’ve been too silent, too long on the side,
Watching you cross lines you have no right.
Now I’m stepping up, I’m standing tall,
You won’t knock down this fortress wall.

These are my lines in the sand,
Stronger now, where I take my stand.
No more bending, no more lies,
You’ll feel the strength that never dies.
Every inch I defend, every wall I command,
This is my life, my line in the sand.

So step back, stay out of my way,
The boundaries are drawn, no price to pay.
In these lines in the sand, I’ve found my might,
You’re not crossing, not tonight.

Gaslit

You twist my words, say I’m wrong to feel,
Make me question what’s fake, what’s real.
A magician with shadows, distorting the truth,
Setting traps in my mind, and calling it proof.

You pull the ground from beneath my feet,
Redefining reality, calling it defeat.
With every lie, you keep me in line,
But I’m starting to see through your twisted design.

I’m gaslit in your house of mirrors,
Reality fractured, truth disappears.
Losing my grip on what’s real, what’s right,
But I see the lies hiding in plain sight.
This sick game you play, I won’t let you win,
Gaslit, but I’m breaking free from within.

You whisper doubts that echo in my mind,
A master illusionist, so calculated, refined.
Every line blurred, every memory bent,
You build walls with lies, until truth’s nearly spent.

I watch myself fade in each broken glass,
Distorted reflections of a future that passed.
But I’m stepping back, piece by piece,
Seeing the cracks in your web of deceit.

I’m done with illusions, your smoke and schemes,
This twisted reflection isn’t what it seems.
You built this maze to keep me blind,
But I’m finding my way, leaving you behind.

Gaslit in your house of mirrors,
Where shadows hide and truth grows clear.
I’m stepping out, won’t play the fool,
No more distortion, I’m done with you.
The walls are breaking, light flooding in,
Gaslit no more, I’m reclaiming my skin.

Your grip is fading, I’m seeing the lies,
Walking away with open eyes.
In the light, I’ve found my ground,

No longer lost, no longer bound.

‍ ‍Lost in Your Shadow

I bend till I break, twist just to fit,
Trying to be what you need, can’t ever quit.
Every piece of me fades, a ghost in your light,
I’m standing right here, but I’m out of sight.

I tell myself I’m done; this time, it’s for sure,
But when you walk through the door, I forget the words I swore.

I’m lost in your shadow, can’t find my way,
Drowning in the need to make you stay.
Sacrifice myself just to keep you near,
But the closer I get, the less I’m here.
Chasing your light, but I lose my own,
In this twisted dance, I’m all alone.

I let your storms bury me, till I’m deep below,
Swallowed by waves I didn’t know could grow.
I cling to the edges, but I slip every time,
I’m bound by chains I built in my mind.

I’m the comfort, the calm, the shoulder you need,
But my heart beats quiet, drowned in your sea.
You see me bending, but never the break,
In loving you, I lose what’s real, what’s fake.

There’s a spark inside, but it’s flickering dim,
Buried beneath the walls I built within.
I want to break free, to step into the sun,
But I fear the silence if you’re gone.

I’m lost in your shadow, trying to find my way,
Caught between love and a price I pay.
Sacrifice myself just to feel alive,
But in losing you, I might survive.
I’ll let go of the darkness, reclaim my sight,
And find myself in my own light.

So I’ll face the mirror, turn away from the haze,
Reclaim my heart from these endless days.
No longer a shadow in someone else’s night,

I’ll stand on my own, in my own light.

Poisoned Roses

You came in, lips dripping with honey and wine,
A flood of promises, sweet and divine.
Showered me in roses, blinded me in light,
Made me feel like I was finally right.

Every word, a spark, every touch, a flame,
You painted me perfect, calling my name.
But under the surface, shadows take hold,
Wrapped in velvet lies, ice-cold.

Poisoned roses, petals soft and red,
Love wrapped in thorns, a trap I dread.
You build me up high, just to watch me fall,
In a house of mirrors, you’re hiding it all.
I’m breaking the spell, tearing the seams,
This isn’t love, just empty dreams.

You fed me stardust, glittered in gold,
Wrote my story, took control.
A flood of affection to trap me tight,
A dazzling game, a cage wrapped in light.

But the shine starts to fade, the cracks start to show,
And I see the truth in the lies you sowed.
Every touch, a hook, every kiss, a chain,
I’m breaking free from this twisted game.

The gifts, the praise, all a twisted play,
A beautiful lie you spun in my way.
But I see through the charm, past the disguise,
You can’t keep me trapped in your web of lies.

Poisoned roses, petals soft and red,
Love wrapped in thorns, a game of dread.
You build me up high, just to watch me fall,
In a house of mirrors, you’re hiding it all.
I’m burning it down, tearing the seams,
This isn’t love, just broken dreams.

So keep your roses, keep your praise,
I’m walking out, out of your maze.
No more glitter, no more chains,

I’m done with love wrapped up in pain.

Chains of Control

You walk in like a storm with your iron will,
Eyes that demand, voice that’s never still.
Every move, every thought under your gaze,
You cage up my life like a twisted maze.

You set the stage, you write the lines,
Make the world bend to your design.
But I’m breaking out, I’m tearing free,
From the grip that won’t let me be.

These are the chains of control, forged in fear,
Pulling tighter each time you draw near.
But I won’t bend, I won’t break,
You can’t own the soul you tried to take.
I’m cutting the ties, reclaiming my mind,
Leaving your grasp, leaving you behind.

You twist the truth, turn dark to light,
Make wrong feel right in your endless fight.
But every wall you build around,
Is just another echo, a hollow sound.

You hold the strings like a puppet’s game,
But I’m not your pawn, I won’t wear your shame.
I’ll stand my ground, I’ll find my voice,
In the silence you can’t destroy.

You think you’re the ruler of all you see,
But power fades when you lose the key.
To keep control, you’ve lost it all,
Built your kingdom just to watch it fall.

These are the chains of control, forged in fear,
But I’m standing tall, the end is here.
I won’t bend, I won’t break,
You can’t hold the heart you tried to stake.
I’m cutting the ties, reclaiming my mind,
Leaving your grasp, leaving you behind.

You’ve lost the grip, the power’s gone,
The reign you held was built on wrong.
In the ruins, I’ll rise above,

Free from the chains, free to love.

Mirror of Lies

This house is haunted, every wall’s alive,
Secrets slip through the cracks as we try to survive.
Love’s just a war zone, where we fight and lie,
Silent screams trapped beneath a shadowed sky.

And those “no-talk” rules choke every breath,
Like chains on the heart, till there’s nothing left.

Doors slam shut, and the truth cuts like knives,
Ghosts of the past still whisper our names.
It’s a war we don’t fight, but the scars remain,
Suffocating under guilt and pain.

Tables set with poisoned grace,
Every smile’s a mask in a twisted embrace.
Laughter feels like bullets when it’s all a game,
And we’re just players, numb to the pain.

But I’ll break free, tear down these chains,
Burn this house down, leave only the flames.
From the ashes, I’ll rise, no longer afraid—
Leaving this chaos in a broken charade.

Edge of the Void

I’m walking a line, so close to the edge,
A heart held together by threads and a pledge.
Every step feels like the ground might give,
Wondering when you’ll decide to leave.

My mind’s a hurricane, thoughts collide,
Fear whispers my name, nowhere to hide.
I’m caught in a cycle, spinning out of control,
Anxiety’s shadow swallowing me whole.

On the edge of the void, with nothing to hold,
Fear digs in deep, icy and cold.
The walls are closing, the air gets tight,
I’m clinging to hope, but it’s a fragile light.
Every heartbeat’s a warning, every breath’s a plea,
Will you stay, or will you abandon me?

Your words say forever, but doubts creep in,
Promises feel fragile, thin as skin.
I’m watching every move, reading every sign,
Holding on too tight, losing peace of mind.

My heart races faster, can’t slow it down,
Afraid of the silence, the lack of sound.
Like a ghost in the room, I’m chasing your trace,
Fighting to hold onto a love I can’t replace.

I know it’s fear, not truth, that’s tearing me apart,
But every whispered worry still claws at my heart.
I’m losing myself in the echoes of dread,
A prisoner to thoughts left unsaid.

So here I stand, on the edge of the void,
Haunted by silence, feeling destroyed.
If I let go, will you stay or flee?

In this war with fear, I just want to be free.

Taylor S. Presley

taylorpresley1@yahoo.com