"I knew you before
your heart was
battered and torn,
before your brain was clouded and worn.
I knew you before
your hands and words would shake,
when there wasn't the need to lasso your soul and pull you awake.
I knew you before
you were bones and skin, when you'd do anything, fight to the death to win.
I knew you before
your sorrow carried for all to hear,
when we shared countless tears,
before all those years.
I knew you before
anguish and pain,
when your spirit was raw, open for all to see,
nothing to hide your heart open and free.
I knew you before
we fell to the floor feeling nothing no more,
when we closed the door locked it with grief,
and left with no chance of reprieve.
I knew you before."