A mess of awkward pimples

and confused hairstyles

stumbling over words

and fiddling with nerd glasses

thrown out of one too many classes

and loving the freedom

that comes with boredom

playing video games

is easier than asking her out anyway

someday things will turn his way

for now a little weed

will make life easier

but not much busier

for the boy in the basement alone

without purpose

wondering if this is all there is

or is there more than the smoke of the senseless

the chaos of his thoughts

are tangled weeds growing darker

blooming at the edge of midnight

would the world really be better without him

would the world be better off if he was loved

would the world be better if he would turn off the television

that stole his ambition and imagination

even as the game keeps clamoring for his attention

and his demons dance in the flickering den

he is a boy wasted

but within he is still carries the spirit of a warrior

an ember festers, ready to awaken

the wildfire of revival

yes, it takes courage to work out your salvation

but it is better than to reach 60 and consider what might have been

if only I had changed something back then

boy, you don’t have to hide

the man you are inside

the gift of God is this, your horizons are wide

rise and take a step toward the outside