i've taken the dismal descent
of every trap door set for me.

i've sank deeper than the titanic.

i've painted-by-numbers through a thousand mouths.

i've grinned horribly and thumbed my nose at god.

i've killed for men who've murdered me.

i've donned this macabre disguise
far and beyond too many times.






i've lifted the layers of bygone bandages.

i've been fixed
with two lips
and three words.