A dim half-world
of riven skittering skies
under three shining stars
Scattered smoking ruins
mark the graves of potential
The poison in my veins
from pre-recorded history
Utterly inescapable

Seas of sorrow
give unquenchable thirst
Catharsis but
an unreachable headland.
Ramparts of reason and rationale
blow away like tinder
in the thin listless breeze

The only path forward
a trudge into the gloom.
Wolves skulk
their eyes gleaming
from surrounding shadows
They know only blood.
Patiently, relentlessly
waiting for that first
Bite

Take a drag of my cigarette
Look up
and smile bitter sweet
For having found
those beautiful stars
for a time
I’ve known peace