"Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary", charcoal, 1999

Numb

Can you remember what it meant to feel?
When hopes and dreams could still be real?
When wounds cut deep but yet would heal?
before the numb.

Tears used to flow from these dry eyes.
And a smile was more than mere disguise.
No censors up to scan for lies.
without the numb.

To love or hate, it feels the same.
Sit back and stare or play the game.
Let fate decide and take the blame.
now the numb.

A kiss or bite, no difference here.
Nothing's sacred, nothing's dear.
Take me or leave me but one thing is clear.
I am numb.

A robot programmed not to care.
A cynicism beyond compare.
Yet deep beneath it all despair.
beneath the numb.