Without the audience I am nothing.
If I believed that there was no one out there who was listening
or who cared
or who loved
or who chose to listen
I mean read
I would be a desiccated pear
I would be a tired excuse of a shoe.

I have to know that I am better than nothing.
If I received no feedback at all, no encouraging words from friends,
Sometimes I don't know if I would do it
if I would press on
and walk
and write
and rebel
and destroy
and rebuild
and light up then
burn out.

Sometimes I sit and I think about nothing.
and honestly it's great to know that nothing is something and
maybe I am something
or nothing
or a mouse
or a servant
or a shoe
or a revolutionist
or an egotist
or a *******
or I am a perfect uttered silence
a ****** quiet
or maybe I am Jack's shiner, his swollen-shut eyelid
but maybe
just maybe

I am there for a chivalrous reason and
I got just one good lick in
or maybe I didn't
and I took one like a ***** but
I walked her home
and I kissed her
and she liked it
and I did too

And I am nothing,
And I know this.

What I'm saying is, I wouldn't be able to sleep.
What I'm saying is, I hope I'm something you'll keep.
What I'm saying is, keep reading and I'll keep breathing.
What I'm saying is, and I'll shout it in powdery tones
What I'm saying is, don't make me be alone.