Felt like a king with an army, always there
Under city lights, the bonds seemed so tight
But shadows whispered truths, hidden from my sight

Blindly trusted hearts, tales of loyalty proclaimed
Never saw the cracks, until the light of shame

I thought I had it all, a close circle of friends
We'd laugh until dawn, have each other’s backs, through thick and thin
But when the tide turned rough, and I needed them the most
They vanished in the night, leaving me like a ghost

I believed they had my back, always by my side
Turns out they were just pretending, with secrets to hide
When the going got tough, they scattered in the wind
Left me feeling lost, my trust wearing thin

Won't be fooled by their plastic crowns
Rise above the ashes, with newfound strength I'm found
Real connections waiting to be made
Open my heart, where true loyalty's displayed

Now I see their friendship was never truly real
They kept a running score, my worth they’d try to steal
Always judging my flaws, never lifting me high
Leaving me drained, as they silently passed by

It hurts to let go, to acknowledge the pain
But I'm better off now, free from their toxic chain
I'll focus on healing, on finding my way
To friendships that uplift, come what may
Yearning for connections, built on trust and care

So I'll keep my heart open, my eyes wide awake
Seeking out true friends, no longer a mistake
No more false pretences, or half-hearted care
I know what I deserve, and real love will be there

As a dare-gale skylark scanted in a dull cage
   Man's mounting spirit in his bone-house, mean house, dwells—
   That bird beyond the remembering his free fells;
This in drudgery, day-labouring-out life's age.

Though aloft on turf or perch or poor low stage,
   Both sing sometimes the sweetest, sweetest spells,
   Yet both droop deadly sometimes in their cells
Or wring their barriers in bursts of fear or rage.

Not that the sweet-fowl, song-fowl, needs no rest—
Why, hear him, hear him babble and drop down to his nest,
   But his own nest, wild nest, no prison.

Man's spirit will be flesh-bound when found at best,
But uncumbered: meadow-down is not distressed
   For a rainbow footing it nor he for his bónes rísen.