they all ask the same questions
close companions with the triviality that sinks us all like stones
dust into whirlwinds, screams into storms
take a ******* breath for a minute
drinking your lukewarm love like coffee in the cold morning
savor every last drop now
caffeine still on your breath, don’t tell me you know misery when
i’ve still got wounds open under the floorboards.
you’re waving to the world like problems are a prize
hardly under your fingernails and you’re painting blood on your door
pray tell me the state of your bones;
are they ashy with defeat, years of torment you finally drew?
are they brittle
precarious
weaker than your resolve?
that spot right under your heart
where a warm soul ought to be
does it send tremors down your wrists, and into your hands?
AND WHEN THE SHAKING DOESN’T STOP
DO YOU CLAW AT YOUR INSIDES?
WHEN THE PAIN DOESN’T SUBSIDE AND
THE VOICES DON’T CEASE, WHAT THEN?
DO THE DEVILS TREAT FRIENDLY THOSE
THAT ADVERTISE DESPAIR?
IF SO, DO PLAY ON!

but if not.
by all that is good and wondrous and light
count your blessings, dear one.
there are some in this world that feel the pain raw
cold and biting at their insides;
they never say a word.

-*k.c.