it happened without having once suspected it
that sound
that smell
that familiar convalescent appearance

smooth, sweaty, searching
gasping, clawing, speechless

it happened to them before
there's no escape this time
salvation was never enough
it was the yearning to finally
f       o       r       o        n     c       e
be home again


and we say HEY! you've turned me
and they say HEY! you've turned me
into the bane


it happened without having once suspected it
they did it to us
the shame
the horror
the curse

how long before we can finally be home
and face our bane?