gritted teeth, paving
the sidewalks where we
told each other that this
had gone too far.
market lights illuminating 
the cascade of mistakes - lies 
we told ourselves at night
to keep afloat 

treading water until dawn.
with a cry, savior!, so
soft we could not hear it ourselves,

if our, savior!, did hear
would he bother to save!
two watchdogs disguised as
masochists waiting for
the other to leave
the flock behind,
or would he look
the other way, knowing 
that we can't be, saved!
unless we want to
save! ourselves