October rain

I stretch and swell in the October rain;
Longingness exerts over previous days—
A copy: the old habits keep me sane.

I walk familiar paths for days in pain,
The same roads in so many different ways.
I stretch and swell in the October rain.

I write the same name again and again, 
But my memory deludes and decays—
A copy: the old habits keep me sane.

A simple shell is all that is remain;
To and fro the soul wanders and relays.
I stretch and swell in the October rain.

Nothing of importance, nothing to gain, 
The poor heart ponders what the mind dismays—
A copy: the old habits keep me sane.

My words, my dreams, all my ideals in vain;
My very existence myself betrays.
I stretch and swell in the October rain—
A copy: the old habits keep me sane.

Dale Chou
2007-10-23