So, scraped to bone and skinned till raw, I kneel
To stand before the deeds, to finish mine.
By bleeding wounds, a moment more I steal,
To add to seconds, shedding tears of brine.

To spit in face of Time again—once more,
While baring ****** teeth and clenching them—
In pain and dread and hate and........aching sore?
Through hollow veins, I hear the thrum of end.

And close my eyes for not a second's rest,
For shame and fear that I won’t stir again.
So, slog through duty work—my soul a guest.
Do eyes mine dry, and muscles tear in vain?

For hundreds passed, and those to come, like me,
Through seconds—I will claw forever free!