Nine

Life has opened up for me
like the earth under the feet
of Korah and his followers
and it will remain open like a gaping hole
swallowing up everything, until life itself
closes like a store on *shabbes

you can file a nail or point it straight
when making your point in a debate
and head to the door when all goes wrong
sit tight, get up stay impenetrably strong

****** and dawdle and stay out of trouble
pass your rival and do it on the double
regress, remain somber and sated
throw your hands high and stay elated

function as a part, a piece or a tool
add to the formula and make a new rule
face the facts with convincing nod
do the best you can even if it is slipshod

feast on memories and plan your path
sit by idly and inherit one's wrath
look sternly as you play your hand pat
spring up instantly when thrown to the mat

call to order for a meeting's start
work firmly together or drift apart
take on your destiny and tough it out
sit idly by growing weary and stout

The peeling walls of my mind, feel like
their closing in on my sanity..
Deep shadows of the farthest corners
of my periphery warning me of pending doom..
At once a sense of calm begins to overtake
my being..
As if the eternal tranquility of death was
already embracing me..
Then, marching to the failing beat of my
heart, faint footsteps came to a halt..
The war was over, the battle lost, and I
surrendering my soul to the demons
inside of me..

The silence,
Haunting light
Illuminating tunnels
Terror’s teeth.

Horror is a face
The disaster, a cat!
Smiling with sharpness
Fangs hungry for blood

Calling:

“more”.

But that’s a crazy thought
Cat curled up with stripes
Lines and lives that fade the grid
Cruelly wound around
It's branch:

A deep hum and sly laughter:

Hands on cheeks
Mouth open

Fading, languid
Grasping, gaping
Giving up -
*“we’re all mad here”