You want so desperately to believe
that this
so carefully ruled white line
fresh as ****** snow
pure against the silver
browning to the lighter’s flame
this first ignited onrush of confidence
emboldening you
with the awakening you dream of
will open up
take you into a land where
you will be the ruler
but
here is the base line
it will ultimately lay bare
emptiness
a white yet colourless
sterile salt desert of numbness
and you will seek
that white line
forever more