BRICK BY BRICK
Scars from loss and woe
Memories of future times
Broken from what does not show
Tears from paid for crimes
Smiling to hide the truth
The face an impenetrable mask
Hiding a misspent youth
Avoiding questions people ask
Reflections of an unknown face
A visage with no trace of trials
Life and lies keeping pace
Pain hidden behind an array of styles
If just one person sees the cracks
A defect in the protective walls
Then picks up a chisel and hacks
To be there when it falls
Throwing aside each discarded brick
Making way through grime and dust
Attempting to convince there is no trick
Each step earning respect and trust
Finally coming face to face
Offering protection of their own
Of the wall, there will always be a trace
Always a fear of ending alone
Pain, Lone, Loss, Strife
Peace, Friends, Joy, Pride
Love, Smiles, Fun, Life
Truth, Trust, Turned, Tide
© A Forbes 2014
A Mixed Bag 
Love everything about this…I feel it.
Thanks Rosy 🙂
LOVE THIS!!!!! Wow…. beautiful Al! 🙂
Thanks very much Courtney 🙂
This is so beautifully written Al, so moving, so honest. I can relate to this on many levels.
Thanks LuAnn. I think it is one that connects with everybody
Wow, Al. This was amazing. Beautiful and can be related to on so many levels.
Thanks Sheena. I think that’s what so many people like about it. It covers so many
Outstandingly beautiful, haunting, and vividly accurate, yet above all written in Alistair’s own style, and I love that! 🙂 xo
Thank you so much Penny. It just flowed out after I read the poem of someone else. The start was there, and I had to stop it or it would have gone on forever I think
It’s mixed for me, because you wrote it so well yet you were so truthful. Great job Al. I hope you’ll do more of this…
Thank you Seyi. I can only write what comes to me. I will see what I can do.
This is so melancholy but at the same time reflective and enchanting. Great job.
Thanks very much Kim.
Mind blowing:)
Thank you Vishal. I’ve not had the reactions before that I have been getting on this one
dude… that was freekin’ awesome…
Wow. Thanks Arthur
thank you
B-e-a-u-ti-ful !!!! Lots of love, Emily
Thank you Emily.
A lot of feelings went into writing this. It spoke to me Al
Thanks Terry. I got the inspiration from a poem I read on someone else’s blog and it just ran itself out like this.
OMG! This is one of the best poems that I have ever read. It is beautiful, inspirational, moving and touching. Very thoughtprevoking.
Thought-provoking – Can’t spell.
Haha, I know whatyoumeant
Thank you Sandra, I am glad you liked it
It’s an awesome poem. I am guessing you have put so much of yourself and your own life into it?
Thank you Sandra. I think we all have times when we are like this
Great poem!
Thank you Nida. Cheers for stopping by as well.
Beautiful
Thanks Yoshiko
Welcome, Al 🙂
Beautiful… Truly beautiful! 🙂
Thank you 🙂 And thank you for the visit
You’re welcome. 🙂
Awesome poem!
Thank you.