The canary died last spring,
but we didn’t heed the warning.
And without enough light and air
we morphed into monstrous things.
Devouring each other’s souls.

I know some things about dirt
I shed my feathers many times just like a bird

Daring
Always daring
never preparing
for the fall
I fly
bold with a certain confidence
but so very shy
hold a truth to obedience
when the voice tells me to abide
holding evidence of bloodlust at night

Maybe not a bird then
but a bat when
feeling a strong hunger
for your crimson liquor
in the dark I reach out to my monger
won't you be my cherry picker
I'll draw the night out and make the darkness stay longer
I'll bite you and make your blood run thicker

Yes
See me still hiding a diffidence
under this bold confidence
But I'm not about pretense
bird and bat, all the same
I feel so very tense
as it seems either I can tame
Though I don't need defense
and as you will see, I got no shame

Grinning plastic face,
The parts of puppets
Used for the sole
Purpose of propaganda.
Papa's only way to
Put a smile on his
Spoiled daughter's face.

The world's toys
Are played with,
Figure heads debate.
Religious fanatics
Can scare you into
Thinking you're going to
Burn for an eternity,
Oh well then.
The Godhead
Condemns Lucifer.

Psychiatrist,
Am I psychlogically well?
Please tell me
Whether or not
My results indicate
That I need to be
Dependent upon
Your medication.

Originally written 1/21/11
Revised 10/21/14

(c) 2014 Brandon Antonio Smith