Once (Poem)

Once,
I was part of the color,
The voices, the life, the emotion.

Once,
I was part of the rhythm,
The flow, the beat, the tempo.

Emotions,
I could feel them.
Jealousy, anger, sadness,
My heart twisted in bitter agony.

Voices,
I could hear them.
Whispered malice and lies,
My ears were ready and listening.

Rhythm,
I followed it.
Going along with everything,
I led other people's lives.

Yet now, I've turned to the shadows,
Fading into the grey background.
Observing, listening,
But no longer caring.

Once.