The year that was

And just like that, a year has passed.
The embers of pain and anger refuse to die.
The regret of taking a leap of faith.
The pain of falling flat on my face.

In the quiet night by the window,
as I feel the winter breeze,
I wonder—must I learn
this game of pettiness and deceit?

I wake up to one more dull morning,
surrounded by scheming minds.
I will fight to save my soul,
for this is not the game I want to play.

I will stand my ground; let them try to break me.
I will claw my way up the slithering walls,
but I will not become one of them.