the sign speaks to you
in your mind
but you know
it is silent.

take a fifth one
feel the rough material
scratch against the skin
of your hands

take a sixth one
and be free

take a seventh one
and break the cycle

listen
nothing happened
stay here,
as the walls rot.
stay here,
as the door
decays
and opens itself.
stay here,
please
just stay here

its lights are on
glowing dimly
like an abandoned parking lot

the concrete
dappled with
cigarettes
pebbles
people
stones
cigarettes

the sign still says they're open
we all know they're closed
they just don't want to tell us yet

Life's labourers, clad in chains and covered in coal, old;
Life's lambs, draped over but still seeing, older.