Pain and pleasure are the sides
of the coin I spend in life
by the scourge I finally smile
creature comforts found at long last
I can afford nothing else
or at the least this much is true
the higher realms will not accept
the currency I hold in hand.

Seeking change from common day
it’s left behind while I play
all the rest becomes shadow
phantom life that I discard
experience brought me to this place
seeking realms of the extreme
to delay frustration’s curse
consuming lust is payment sent.

By the cut or by the stroke
moderation has been revoked
one or the other will come first
with the other in due course
wanting more of the same
torment may proceed the balm
or sheer delight becomes distress
desires are filled as I proceed.

I’ll not judge where I go
when sensation fills my world
deluding spirit’s need to pray
with a base surrogate
I’ll seek the exit in the end
after coins have been spent
no longer offering a retreat
I’ll pay the bill and take my own.

© 2018. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20180325.