i read today that this world needs my compassion.

let me tell you now: this world does not need
anything from me. it wants everything.

i am drained of blood - the leach that is life,
gluttonous, letting my spare empathy run past
its jowls, down the side of my leg.
none left for myself. certainly none
left for you.

there has never been any room for me
in my own life. i’m certain of this now.