Irreverent words flow as I spill this ink across the page
Suns rise and set, while this planet weeps black blood
The midnight stars shine solemnly in their eternal watch

God sighs as the universe sets, he can finally put down his burden
He aches and pains from toiling so long
Joints creak and his stomach rumbles

Maybe it's time for a nap
He lays his head down to slumber
The light, tinted pink from the evenings glow, filters through his window

A breeze gently stirs the wispy hair on his threadbare scalp
A bit of drool collects on the headrest of his recliner
His troubles all but forgotten to the tides of dreams

"Heaven is closed," Peter said to the gathered dead, "Here is your eviction notice."
One by one they marched down the marbled gold staircase as the angels descended above them
Jesus was the last to go, after tucking a blanket around his father's shoulders

With a final breath the universe dies, contented, in its sleep
No more witnesses, no more observers
Peace at last

Dewy sunrise red
Cool breeze over warm air, rain
Autumn in the South

These spirits so intrinsic to this city, haunting and beautiful, don't bother me.

I am just like them, I'll slip inside of you and take possession. You'll be my vessel, my connection back to the pleasures of life.

These demons so readily available with their vices, flit through the night sky in searching of their next buyer, their next victim.


I am just like them, I'll slip inside of you and take possession. You'll be my vessel, my outlet for corruption.

Will you be my puppet?

"You can't sleep now, there are monsters nearby."
I know. I am the monster. Please, just let me sleep.

Exhaustion is like a cloak, insomnia has hobbled me. I stare at the inside of my eyelids trying to force something that should be seduced.

I imagine what my dreams are like, hoping to get caught on one and drift away.

Without you here to soothe this demon, I struggle against these sleepless nights. Trying to find peace.

"You can't sleep now, there are monsters nearby."
I know I am the monster. Please, just let me sleep?

I toss and turn hating who I've become. Hating that I need you here to keep me sane, knowing that's why you've gone. You couldn't take the strain.

"You can't sleep now, there are monsters nearby."
I know. I know... Oh gods, I know.

Conceit and Condescension flow through my veins
I bleed Superiority
I'm a liar
I could use a dash or two of Confidence in my morning tea
I'd settle for a water with a little splash Vanity
I'm an echo of originality

Vainglorious is my halo
I'm not bothered by what other people think of me
I'm a fraud
I crave Narcissism in my burritos
I lust for Pride in my beer
I am a ghost of inspiration

Pride and Tyranny are my wings
My aura is Aloof
I'm a mask
I'll take a shot of Snobbery with my scotch, neat
I wish I had Arrogance in my head
I am  a mass hallucination

"Just breathe," I say to my friends when they have anxiety attacks
It is always my first step, before reminding them of all the cute cuddly things they love
But how can I breathe knowing what I've done and left undone?
How can I breathe with these words unspoken from my lips, that you are hearing from those who love you and you love in turn?
Atlas's struggles are nothing compared to the weight I bear stretched across my shoulders.
Jesus's cross is lighter by far.
But somehow, I manage to take an impossible breath with my chest tight.
I don't want to fail my friends
I've already failed myself
How do I take the next breath, knowing that the pain of failure will be right there with it?
It's not by reflex
I choose to breathe because one day I might be end up a success
All it takes is breathing