Even my body
holds me
hostage-
Ribcage cell
barring
manic heart...

when walls won't
fall-
stoic fake brick facades
cling to
well-worn dive bar
foundations,

'Tis the bitter
finally cuts through-
slices past the
evergreen potency
of man-made
strength-

bellicose, forcing
its way in;
open up and
swallow-
tonic permeating
soulless through,
anchors to bottom
& crumbles youth.