chicken and egg

pictures and memories
memories not of the pictures
but different pictures altogether
pictures that made memories
pictures that never were
and the picture that is
brings a memory that never was

pictures and memories
triggers, shooting pain
but the pictures are beautiful
and the memories not all bad
memories that i hold dear
memories i make my pictures with
but there's still some pain
the bridge between them

pictures and memories
of people long since dead
of people i created
of people that never were
of walks through nights
for mornings that never dawned
of rains that left me crying
of waters that left me thirsty

pictures and memories
that hold the heart in a vice
the pain isn't entirely in the mind
there's the lump in the throat
and the dull ache somewhere inside

pictures and memories
floodgates of tears
and yet, i know
there's nothing else whatsoever
that can make me smile
but the pictures and memories