always reaching, and yet a measure less

what mystery was in your mind, this time

the shame of failure or fear of success

you could not be saved from promises I guess

you thought your effort would help you climb

always reaching, and yet a measure less

tiny victories came from drink, confess

slave to your addiction, your only crime

the shame of failure or fear of success

victim of your time, casual distress,

the dark black fingers, tempting and sublime,

the shame of failure or fear of success

you dreamed to be something, no doubt the best

a hero, good man, failed to win the prize

always reaching, and yet a measure less

and then gone too soon, your life lost of breath

despair, unable to think it through this time

your shame of failure, your fear of success

what made you become a slave to dark death,

dead at forty-four, pills and drink your crime

always reaching, and yet a measure less

your shame in failure, your fear of success