a ragged, tattered leather bag
hides faded photos wrapped inside,
both black and white and Kodachrome,
revealing dreams once held with pride.

an older, colder man made weak
through sojourns taken long ago
has paid with shame a painful price
for bitter seeds he chose to sow.

consumed by youthful avarice,
success became amoral lust
for things of want but never need;
a soulless loss of love and trust.

he cured his life in lurid greed
so strong it tore apart his soul
as truth imbued was flung away
for grand illusion's golden goal.

he chased the dragon of deceit
along with every reprobate
deluded by corruption's face
forsworn to conjure riches fate.

today he stands a naked man
reflected in the full length glass
of one more sterile penthouse suite;
bath fixtures proud old polished brass.

he opens up his leather bag
to gaze upon the photos there.
a smiling girl is gazing back
from long ago when love was shared.

she wears a bridal dress of white,
her face aglow, adorned with hope,
to greet a future purpose proud,
no doubt that love would surely cope.

and standing next to his young bride,
a man exuding confidence
to conquer all life's challenges
without the slightest reticence.

the ugliness he did conceal
but time exposed each sordid part
and still he chased the dragon's bait
until, at last, he broke her heart.

her innocence he stole away
with no remorse for times he lied,
he watched her slide into despair
till in his arms one day she died.

next to the picture of his bride
a loaded pistol lies in wait;
he picks it up and fires inside
the mind that found the truth too late.