the snakes and arrows a child is heir to are enough to leave a thousand cuts we build our defenses a place of safety and leave the darker places unexplored sometimes the fortress is too strong or the love is too weak what should have been our armor becomes a sharp and angry sword our better natures seek elevation a refuge for the coming night no one gets to their heaven without a fight no one we hold beliefs as a consolation a way to take us out of ourselves meditation or medication a comfort or a promised reward sometimes the spirit is too strong or the flesh is too weak sometimes the need is just too great for the solace we seek the suit of shining armor becomes a keen and bloody sword no one gets to their heaven without a fight a refuge for the coming night a future of eternal light no one gets to their heaven without a fight no one  confused alarms of struggle and flight blood is drained of color by the flashes of artillery light no one gets to their heaven without a fight the battle flags are flown at the feet of a god unknown no one gets to their heaven heaven no one gets to their heaven without a fight sometimes the damage is too great or the will is too weak what should have been our armor becomes a sharp and burning sword no one gets to their heaven without a fight a refuge for the coming night a future of eternal light no one gets to their heaven without a fight no one no one gets to their heaven without a fight1