Riley Velvet Poetry

Skinwalker

2013-05-20T12:14:00.003-07:00

"Skinwalker"

I want to take a shower from the inside out
can I reach deep enough to scrub down to my bones?
[bones, bones, bones]
yeah I'll dig and scrape and bleach away every bit of you
but can anyone hold me if I'm nothing left but bone?

my threats can't stand
underneath your fiery breath
I count your faults like sand
there can't be any promise left

what will lift this curse off me?
I've drawn a chalk circle
left cuts where you could see
I'll drip wax from every candle
just to cast out the memory

*skinwalker
skinwalker*

I float without your bondage
I'm not used to this freedom
for so long I was your hostage
my heart may be forever numb

I want to take a shower from the inside out
can I reach deep enough to scrub down to my bones?
[bones, bones, bones]
yeah I'll dig and scrape and bleach away every bit of you
but can anyone hold me if I'm nothing left but bone?

what will lift this curse off me?
I've drawn a chalk circle
left cuts where you could see
I'll drip wax from every candle
just to cast out the memory

*skinwalker
skinwalker*

full of holes from the shotgun blast
this is the last spell you'll ever cast
full of holes from the shotgun blast
this is the last spell you'll ever cast

~RileyVelvet

How Do I Handle This?

2013-04-15T20:25:00.002-07:00

"Unexpected"

my skin is soft and hazy
your spine is weak and lazy
picking petals off of daisies
I'm not the one who's crazy
you ravaged my body
and you swore you were sorry

what do you do
when the pillar that held you
turns out to be made of paper not steel?
how do you handle
when the one who lights your candle
admits the flame was never even real?

*love is not a game that's won
it's a war that's fought
when you fly close to the sun
fragile wings get caught*

I wanted to wake up beside you
from this day forward
I dreamed of growing old with you
it's what makes this so much harder
your name is burned on my heart
but banned from my lips
our souls were joined from the start
but now you've let it slip

what do you do
when the pillar that held you
turns out to be made of paper not steel?
how do you handle
when the one who lights your candle
admits the flame was never even real?

*love is not a game that's won
it's a war that's fought
when you fly close to the sun
fragile wings get caught*

never say never
cause what you say next will be written on my heart forever

*love is not a game that's won
it's a war that's fought
when you fly close to the sun
fragile wings get caught*

~RileyVelvet

What's With The Life Vest?

2013-03-24T15:51:00.000-07:00

"Castaway"

I told you I was right
if I walked away, you'd give up the fight
your arms may be strong
but you've been carrying shackles all along

who told you to jump ship?

I thought you had a life vest

I was trying to help you find it

how will you protect what's inside your chest?

*now you're cast away

(you jumped over the side, you're trying to hide)

you cast yourself away

(you keep it inside, a slave to your pride)

you're a castaway

castaway*

I told you not to sail at night
It's even harder to feel without your sight
Please please don't blink
I won't be able to save you if you sink

who told you to jump ship?

I thought you were still asleep at the helm

your name sticks to my lips

the anchor you're chained to has you overwhelmed

*now you're cast away

(you jumped over the side, you're trying to hide)

you cast yourself away

(you keep it inside, a slave to your pride)

you're a castaway

castaway*

don't grab my hand!

you'll pull me in!

~RileyVelvet

Save Us [Revisited and Renamed]

2013-02-27T07:47:00.003-08:00

"Dangerous Eyes"

I saw you as soon as I walked through the door
your hair reached to your shoulders and my jaw fell to the floor
and you said,
why are you all alone?

two years later and I finally had you to myself
but our love just wasn't ready so you put me on a shelf
and you said,
you're better off all alone

*and I still remember getting off at Hanover Street
and how comfortable I felt in the passenger seat
but still you left me stranded and I never knew why
I was too busy dreaming of your dangerous eyes*

two more years later and you show up once again
but I stop you in your tracks and say we can just be friends
but you say,
I still love you, always

*and I still remember getting off at Hanover Street
and how comfortable I felt in the passenger seat
but still you left me stranded and I never knew why
I was too busy dreaming of your dangerous eyes*

this story might sound happy but it never really ends
one will always give too much, and the other just pretends
so I'll say,
I will love you, always
always
always

*and I still remember getting off at Hanover Street
and how comfortable I felt in the passenger seat
but still you left me stranded and I never knew why
I was too busy dreaming of your dangerous eyes
I still remember getting off...
and how comfortable I felt...
still you left me stranded...
I was too busy dreaming...
dreaming of your dangerous eyes*

~Riley Velvet

Just Run Me Over Already

2013-01-07T12:33:00.002-08:00

"Falling, Breaking, Walking"

everything I offered

you took

I closed my eyes

and you looked

I saved the best for last

but now it's all in the past

greedy hands grabbing so fast

into the darkness I was cast

when I needed, you weren't there

when I cried, you never cared

with shaking knees I held you up

still my strength wasn't enough

and now I'm falling and falling and falling apart

you keep breaking and breaking and breaking my heart

look at me like you used to!

touch me like you meant to!

I'm lonely and I'm dying

from a lifetime of lying

what's the use in trying

you just leave me crying

when I needed, you weren't there

when I cried, you never cared

with shaking knees I held you up

still my strength wasn't enough

but I keep falling and falling and falling in love

and you keep breaking and breaking and breaking my trust

now I'm falling and falling and falling apart

you keep breaking and breaking and breaking my heart

I scream

but my voice is just static

I bleed

but you turn your face away

I cry

but you just won't have it

I'd die

but I wasn't living anyway

when I needed, you weren't there

when I cried, you never cared

with shaking knees I held you up

still my strength wasn't enough

but I keep falling and falling and falling in love

and you keep breaking and breaking and breaking my trust

now I'm falling and falling and falling apart

you keep breaking and breaking and breaking my heart

now you're trying and trying and trying to stay

but now I'm walking and walking and walking away

now you're trying and trying and trying to stay

but I'm walking and walking and walking away

~RileyVelvet

Sex is a Mistake

2012-12-26T13:47:00.002-08:00

"A Virgin's Suicide"

your skin smells like passion to me
combine our sweat for perfect chemistry
your arms build a prison for me
from which I never want released

whisper your sweet desires
tell me how to please you
press your growl against my neck
release the beast inside you

*I love you on the inside
but your body is what satisfies*

your touch brings me to my knees
never thought I'd be so easy
if you really want to marry me
just let me call you baby

*I love you on the inside
but your body is what satisfies
I love you on the inside
but your body is what satisfies*

and when I start to quiver
baby we don't need forever

~RileyVelvet

Revenge is as ugly as Me

2012-12-26T13:38:00.001-08:00

"Vengeance Is Mine"

your stare
cuts the temperature in half
your glare
turns the room into a gilded cage
I can see your fiery breath hanging in the air
would it kill you to know I didn't care?

*I feel your claws scraping my back
and now I know how to attack
but there is one thing that you lack
my fire
I could always turn around
but it's too late for that now
make your familiar sound
you liar
and when your heart breaks down
every piece touching the ground
and I'm nowhere to be found
you'll remember*

your eyes
reveal the secrets you thought were hidden
your lies
prove your act is all just smoke and mirrors
if your mask slipped could you be real for a minute?
or would you shrivel without a face hiding in it?

but her speech is like razors
and I don't think she'd even notice me
advances don't seem to phase her
she's a lot harder when she breathes
she's a lot softer when she bleeds

*I feel your claws scraping my back
and now I know how to attack
but there is one thing that you lack
my fire
I could always turn around
but it's too late for that now
make your familiar sound
you liar
and when your heart breaks down
every piece touching the ground
and I'm nowhere to be found
you'll remember
you'll remember
you'll remember*

what retribution feels like
what my vengeance tastes like
so say goodnight
so say goodnight

~RileyVelvet

They Say The Mind Is A Battlefield

2012-09-05T11:25:00.002-07:00

"Battles"

I used to lay my face to his chest
the beat of his heart matched my own
it was the place I felt safest
the fear in his eyes never once shown

I wasn't thinking how far I could fall
I would've sworn we'd beat all odds
I wasn't thinking of regretting it all
I really thought we'd beat the odds

I used to watch the screen light up
it made my heart skip every time
the sound of his voice used to be enough
but we used up every last line

I wasn't thinking how far I could go
I would've sworn we couldn't lie
I wasn't expecting to stoop so low
I could've sworn I saw you try

I used to say I'd never back down
I used to say I'd always be strong
I never thought I'd be upside down
I never thought I'd be so very wrong

~RileyVelvet

It Might Be Too Late

2012-08-24T10:23:00.001-07:00

"Save Us"

I saw you as soon as I walked through the door
your hair reached to your shoulders and my jaw fell to the floor
and you said,
why are you all alone?

two years later and I finally had you to myself
but our love just wasn't ready so you put me on a shelf
and you said,
you're better off all alone

*but I know
that you'll need me one day
and you know
that it might be too late
to save us*

two more years later and you show up once again
but I stop you in your tracks and say we can just be friends
but you say,
I still love you, always

*but I know
that you'll need me one day
and you know
that it might be too late
to save us
to save us
to save us
to save us*

this story might sound happy but it never really ends
one will always give too much, and the other just pretends
so I'll say,
I will love you, always
always
always

*but I know
that you'll need me one day
and you know
that it might be too late
but I know
that you'll need me one day
and you know
that it might be too late
to save us
to save us
to save us
to save us*

~RileyVelvet

The Unseen

2012-07-31T18:47:00.000-07:00

"The Unseen"

how did we get here?
I used to be your best friend
now hope is replaced by fear
and it's looking more like the end
if I can be honest,
you're nothing like you once were
now it's a contest
and I always come out the loser
tell me you don't need me
and I promise I'll leave
you cringe at my every word
and you leave me feeling broken
your tongue is like the sword
my heart is dead from words spoken
my pleas are pointless
just shots in the dark
how long will you avoid this?
all we need now is a spark
ignite a future soaked in gasoline
consume it with flames of the unseen
show me exactly what you really mean
a nightmare beyond our wildest dreams
if I'm still the one who holds the key
then no one is as screwed up as me
I'll show you exactly what I mean
a nightmare beyond our wildest dreams

~RileyVelvet

Heavy Shell, Empty Hell

2012-06-12T09:41:00.001-07:00

"Heavy Shell, Empty Hell"

Not a day goes by that I don't regret
who I've become and the things I've tried to forget
I used to be pure, believe it or not
but losing your innocence will make your heart rot
now I'm just another wasted youth
I've built myself a heavy shell
I'm just another cause to lose
now I'm bound to my own hell
touch me and tell me my skin isn't frozen
tell me I'm not the one you've chosen
you could cry if I walked away
but unlike me, you'd smile again one day
now I'm just a waste of time
and you're too wasted to notice
I'm the empty void inside
and you deserve better than this
touch me, hold me, pull me close
tell me what I already know
bruise me, slice me, break the skin
bleed out the darkness within
have you ever felt like a monster?
every day it moves closer and closer...

~RileyVelvet

Long Live Riot [part I]

2012-05-29T10:08:00.001-07:00

"Long Live Riot"

What will I do without my shadow?
How can my heart give what it no longer holds?
Though the halls are anything but silent,
this place is empty without you
More precious than gold,
and darker than blackest night
I don't know if I'll ever feel whole
Your shining eyes have lost their sight
Come back to me
Tell me it's all a dream
If you could've stayed by my side
Would you still be alive?
What will I do without my shadow?
How can I dry this river of tears?
Though I feel you around every corner,
all I really have is memory of this past year
I'll miss my pal until the day I end
Promise me you'll rest in peace, my friend.

<3

~RileyVelvet

Sea Blues

2012-04-30T17:12:00.000-07:00

"Ocean Sickness"

Oh great captain

Turn your gaze upon me

I've pulled my chest open

Won't you bring me to my knees

I can't swim this whole ocean

With my hands tied to the floor

I can mimic every motion

But I don't breathe air anymore

My uniform is stained and tattered

I've been hiding from your gaze

If I return to you bruised and battered

Will you whisper secrets of your ways

Oh mighty Captain

Bring your hammer down

I've sliced my veins wide open

Won't you deliver me my crown

~RileyVelvet

My Kingdom is a Wasteland

2012-03-21T18:12:00.002-07:00

"My Kingdom"

[Keep fighting the good fight, babe]

I was born in a chamber
made of metal and regrets
they call it a shelter
but they seem to forget
that our bodies still sweat
and I'm willing to bet
that I'm as good as it gets

I was born to wander alone

So I
I am an outlaw
and it won't be too long
until I make this my nest
no one can resist the sway of my hips
there is no one sitting at my right hand
I'm the queen of the apocalypse
and my kingdom is a wasteland

[Just stay out of her way]

when bombs are matched with bigotry
we're doomed to repeat history
their precious tower is collecting rust
and my skin is caked with all the dust
now we're ruled by lies and lust
betrayed by ones we're fooled to trust
who shield their faces in disgust

I was born to wander alone

so I
I am an outlaw
and it won't be too long
until I make this my nest
no one can resist the sway of my hips
there is no one sitting at my right hand
I'm the queen of the apocalypse
and my kingdom is a wasteland

never fear, children, mother is here
I will be your savior, I will dry your tears
when water becomes dirty, I will purify
every drop of blood spilled, I will justify

I am cursed to wander alone

so I
I am an outlaw
and it won't be too long
until I make this my nest
no one can resist the sway of my hips
there is no one sitting at my right hand
I'm the queen of the apocalypse
and my kingdom is a wasteland

I'm the Queen of the Apocalypse
and my Kingdom is a Wasteland

~RileyVelvet

The Dogs

2012-02-20T14:07:00.000-08:00

"Dogs"

my mother, my mother was cold
she taught me not to sleep with vipers
I listened to what I was told
but I never learned
I'm no kind of doe
but I'll skin you alive
face me if you want to
look me straight in the eyes

*take me down to the river at midnight
tie my hands, whisper 'you will be alright'
magic moon, hide the hunger in your eyes
you will be alright, you will be alright*

daddy taught me how to fight
put a gun in my hand
taught me wrong and right
but I'll never be a man
he could never understand
there's something wrong with who I am

*wander down to the river at midnight
tie your hands, whisper 'I will be alright'
magic moon, hide the sickness in your eyes
you're all mine tonight, you're all mine tonight*

leave me at your bedside
begging for the nurse
I'm empty on the inside
filling up your hurt
fingers through strands of hair
dripping with my lies
leave me wide open
a surprise for your eyes

*stumble down to the river at midnight
slice your hands, 'cause this is my last time
magic moon, show the fury in our eyes
we're dying tonight, we're dying tonight*

'cause I'm the one you want
when the dogs come calling

~RileyVelvet

You Need To Know

2012-02-20T13:55:00.000-08:00

"You Need To Know"

I've never been good at goodbyes
cause when I look into your eyes
I see the way things could be
I see the things you'd do to me
And I'm scared I won't be there

*All you need to know
is I can't breathe the same without you
please don't go
my life will never change without you
I promise I'll be better
regardless of where you go
you're my reason to be*

You're really not well, you know
you're too close to hold
you tell me you love me
but you live like you don't
are my scabs still bleeding?
my pieces were pulled apart
are these scars all you're seeing?
or is it just my cold dead heart?

*All you need to know
is I can't breathe the same without you
please don't go
my life will never change without you
I promise I'll be better
regardless of where you go
you're my reason to be*

will my skin be warm in time?
I don't want to be frigid forever
can I still trap your eyes?
I want to be the one you remember

*All you need to know
is I can't breathe the same without you
please don't go
my life will never change without you
I promise I'll be better
regardless of where you go
you're my reason to be
regardless of where you go
you're my reason to be*

~RileyVelvet

Isaiah 1:5-20

2012-01-22T11:58:00.000-08:00

"The Prophet"

why do you want punishment?
must you rebel forever?
your head is hurt, your heart is sick
from head to toe you're covered
with cuts, bruises, wounds infected
your city's burned and neglected
abandoned like a watchman's shelter
left after the harvest is over

*your skin is dyed crimson
your mind is your only prison*

your sacrifice sickens me!
the fat from your goats and rams
the blood from your bulls and offerings
I've given you all I have!
but your incense burns my nose
and my voice, no one knows
I hate all your festivals!
they're nothing but a show
when you pray to me, I don't listen
you lift your hands but I turn away
they're covered with blood of the innocent
wash yourself clean of wicked ways!

*your skin is dyed crimson
your mind is your only prison*

come on now!
we'll argue this out
no matter how deep your stain
I'll wash it all away
from blackest black
to whitest white
please don't go back
I'll hold on tight

*your skin is dyed crimson
your mind is your only prison*

come on now!
we'll argue this out
no matter how deep your stain
I'll wash it all away!

~RileyVelvet

Until This House Lives

2011-11-29T20:33:00.000-08:00

"Until This House Lives"

in this empty house we once found love
but i don't think i'm what you're dreaming of
savor my presence, remember this taste
all your precious tales have all gone to waste
your scratchy fingers used to trace my spine
my shivers from top to bottom turned to trembles
but never mind them, you're still mine all mine
tape my eyes, wrap my hands cause i'm ready for it

the truth is
we live until we die
we smile until we cry
speak truth until we lie
question everything until we know why

if only i could reach inside
taste what's running through your veins
then i'd know that love exists
then i'd know i can be tamed
if only i could steal your eyes
see the things you see in me
then i'd know that i still exist
then i'd know you'll never leave

the truth is
we live until we die
we smile until we cry
speak truth until we lie
question everything until we know why

don't sever your hands, my darling!
for you won't be able to reach me when i call
but alas, your ears are burning
and all my my worlds are starting to fall

the truth is
i live until i die
i smile until i cry
speak truth until i lie
question everything until i know why

~RileyVelvet

After Mike

2011-11-13T15:13:00.000-08:00

"After Mike"

you found me in a sea of bodies

for some reason your eyes set on me

arms black and blue from the chasing

you just didn't know what to do with me

your eyes were round and hungry

my heart was full and ready

you began to choke

and that's when i broke

*i promise things will get better

this hurting won't last forever

i promise you'll find love again

a love that will never end*

you silenced my cries and turned away

now it doesn't even matter what i say

love like poison, no one sees

we're left with bittersweet memories

your eyes were round and hungry

my heart was full and ready

now i'm the one choking

and now you are breaking

*i promise things will get better

this hurting won't last forever

i promise you'll find love again
a love that will never end*

~RileyVelvet

Cobwebs

2011-10-29T12:31:00.000-07:00

"Cobwebs"
my porcelain skin is cracked and brittle, lifeless without you
my eyes have dulled and my body is now hollow
what are you without me?
are you strong enough to doubt me?

*the snow is heavy
my world froze when you went away
your touch can save me
bring your warmth, melt my sorrows away*

your absence is like cobwebs in the corners of my vacant heart
the static in your voice makes it hard to decipher where you are
what am i without you?
i'm not strong enough to doubt you

*the snow is heavy
my world froze when you went away
your touch can save me
bring your warmth, melt my sorrows away*

i miss your smile and your skin so rough and caliced
i miss the taste of ashes and the voice you sing with
i'm waiting for you, my soul is on hold
come back to me, ignore what you're told

*the snow is heavy
my world froze when you went away
your touch can save me
bring your warmth, melt my sorrows away*

i'm waiting for you
come back to me soon

~RileyVelvet

It feels like goodbye, but I know it's not.

2011-09-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

"It's Cold For September"

these thoughts are poison, like black fire with no smoke
there's nothing in the air, but you still manage to choke
what's the matter with you? i thought you were strong
i used to think you were invincible, but i guess i was wrong
you knew i was always gonna leave you in my dust
but you kept reality at bay because you needed my trust

i love you.
i'll wait for you.
come back to me.

i had a moment of weakness, i'm pleading insanity
whenever my eyes would glaze, you always gave me clarity
but now you're gone and my misery is about to unload
i'm a trampled broken doll watching you drive down the road
it doesn't matter how long it takes, a day is too much
what if my heart collapses, weakened without your warm touch?

i love you.
i'll wait for you.
come back to me.

i know you should go
i know it's the right thing
but don't leave me alone
will you be a mess without me?

i love you.
i'll wait for you.
come back to me.
you love me.
please wait for me.
i'll come back for you.

~RileyVelvet

Anthony

2011-09-21T09:54:00.000-07:00

"Anthony"

cause he knows what it means
to pluck those strings
and we'll all sing along
to our new favorite song

i'm not like the cool kids
my teeth don't seem to shine
there's no color to my eyelids
your stars shine brighter than mine

but Anthony sings all to myself
his fingers will lead him out of this hell
it doesn't matter what they tell him
he'll be gone when this world caves in

cause he knows what it means
to pluck those strings
and we'll all sing along
to our new favorite song

break through this glass
it's a wall of the past
there's transparency
and there's reality

cause he knows what it means
to pluck those strings
and we'll all sing alone
to our new favorite song

~RileyVelvet

It Had To Happen.

2011-09-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

"Zombie"

a dagger to the heart
and a bullet to the head
i never got very far
double tap, make sure i'm dead

shards of glass in my heart
silver bullet in my brain
my fading screen went dark
things will never be the same

i'm decaying
flesh is dropping
brain is pounding
heart is stopping
i'm starving
get inside me
i'm still empty
still consuming

drop dead!
rise up!
blown head!
time's up!

i was walking dead
you shot me in the head
face down again
eyes wide open

~RileyVelvet

Howling

2011-09-07T20:55:00.000-07:00

"Howling"

i did something i regret tonight
i knew i would, but i couldn't get myself to move
it hit me out of nowhere, like a punch in the gut
i swear i never meant to disappoint you

but these voices are howling
and i can't silence the screams
be quiet, be quiet

i hate that i wasn't strong enough
i hate that i let them kick me while i was down
i hate that i wasn't tough enough
i swear i will never again fall back down

but these voices are howling
and i can't silence the screams
be quiet, be quiet
just let me be

my prayers are being drowned
my whispers turn to growls
i'm screaming, screaming
voices fading, fading

but these voices are howling
and i can't silence the screams
be quiet, be quiet
just let me be

~RileyVelvet

Psalm 91

2011-08-31T11:25:00.000-07:00

"Psalm 91"

my fortress, built under the shadow of wings
made of fire and light
all is mine in his sight
you'll never penetrate, your attempts mean nothing

i stand tall!
take your shot,
make me fall!

i kill serpents with my teeth
i crush lions in my hands
you are dirt under my feet
the devil's last stand

restless wicked, they don't function on sleep
they desire the night
they devour your fright
in your dreams, through your veins they constantly creep

i stand tall!
take your shot,
make me fall!

i kill serpents with my teeth
i crush lions in my hands
you are dirt under my feet
the devil's last stand

10,000 dying surround me
i'm still here, i'm still here!
10,000 fall around me
i'm right here, i'm right here!
the terror in the night
the disease at midday
i'm still in his sight
you'll be wiped away
you'll be wiped away

~RileyVelvet