dare I?
be your *****
whatever you like


director drives me to town
asked if things slowed down
when the other car hit
(nope)

most likely probing crises response capacity
intellectual curiosity or genuine concern
wager the former at 10:1
if they'd take bet

I'm just like him
I'm going to be him
groomed

flatly delivered jokes about a ***** test
better received by coworkers
"funny guy"

who is this man at the keystroke?
beached and bleached
disco ****

same old heady glazed blue-grey stormy
reminiscent of bucolic childhood splendor
when was good and town was endless
that never really existed on a barren rock

"many of you look changed, somehow older..."
pause for suspense
"and some look exactly the same"
cue laughter and my irritation,
salt rimmed with rage

am I now jailer?
(whispered)
*****
indeed here now the gatekeeper
open locked doors knowing

will purge again
no matter how movement restricted
treadmill only, calorie burn
gym restricted

not equipped
(won't talk)
transfer to children's hospital
before heart fails

do it make a difference?
displaced despair
wash not over me
instead cut through me

starve binge
sniff and smoke