avert your gaze beyond me
don’t call me by my name–
in twisted lies and dignity,
we all but feel the shame

crawl from the fallen ashes
fall desperately, and still–
rewind the tape that’s playing
take back the reign and frill

stop to smell the roses,
which rot beneath our toes
and wish upon the dandelions-
before the wind does blow

and freeze our faces; silly,
as our fathers warned us would
turn your back towards the sea
relent, subside, come good

then sink again, and this time-
yield whole to the accord
for what good is good and plenty
if the plenty now want more