is a four-letter word
made of sunshine and *******
used to teach kids
against taking
their own
lives.

I say
it's a concept.
Like time
or falling in love
and it traps your mind
into thinking you still have
some fight left.

(The truth is, I'm not hopeful,
I'm just stubborn.)

Words are permanent.

I was once told
that I'm an
"embarrassment"
and now,
that's all I can think
when I get excited
in public.

(I was also once told
that I'm a
"talented writer"
and now,
here I am
writing dumb poems
for my soul.)

I said no to drugs once.
I looked a bag of **** right in the face
and, like a loving but firm father,
I said, "No."
I was really high.

keep

*******


g o i n g.