Skin scrubbed raw for the thousandth time Bleach became my boy The container impenetrable, sanitary sanctuary I bled soap suds through unclogged pores Exposed without the film that blurred all interaction Flash freedom and a taste of humanity to new buds The light stung my eyes, and I turned to hide Hasty retreat and acceptance of defeat I saw a doctor, and he gave me a shot But forgot To clean the wound Or change the dressing Infection claimed me and drove me mad I ran home barefoot in a hospital gown Dodging bats and rats and wolves And I dove into the mud, rolled about Bathing in soothing gratification Caked in routine and ruminating about the choices and the fall I watched the sky, contemplating zero or more