in this 3AM wake
when the marriage of cold sweat to empty sheets
is joined by old exhaust
a bruised and battered life
held together by a broken back
unable to lift out of this godless night

when sleep is the dream to wish upon
and escape the reckless regret
of beautiful things which have drifted into past tense
a forbidden place to venture to

when sunlight rinses over skin
humming the fire entrance
so simple it could be forgotten
as the rush of absent love finds mental security
to stay indefinitely
only ignored when lower back aches
seep into the cognitive forefront

in the endless silence
setting a permanent tone
for a helpless day
it's a moment of contemplation
to decide if this should become routine
or a mold to be broken
where every crack unravels new territory
emphatic potential unafraid to come alive