5. burn it down

take off the mask,

lose the suit, the shades,

wipe the makeup

from my face,

i can’t live

my life this way,

tired of playing

the fake,

all of this

for the sake

of entertainment?

can’t take it.

never felt more ready

to throw it all away,

no more pain,

i can’t go another day.

burn it all down.

watch the flame

take it all,

my highest blessing

and my biggest mistake,

i’ve stood on a lot

of stages,

but this is the greatest.

for the first time,

i feel like a star.

all the gasps,

the fear,

“is he crazy?”

i may be,

but suddenly,

i can really say

i’m comfortable.

if you want happiness,

prepare for bullshit.

life will gift you

with every kick

it can give,

but i’m tired

of getting hit,

i’ll get rid

of all this shit,

watch it combust,

“he threw his career away,”

i hear from behind,

and i just smile.

simultaneously,

i took a weight

off of my shoulders,

and i gave california

a nice parting gift.

so long,

and thanks for the torment.

let someone else

have my career.

i’m going home.