Seeing you across from me in dim headlights just made sense

I never questioned anything with you

that is why I speak to you literally; without metaphor

Because you were too real to extrapolate any other meaning from

And in your honesty I was destroyed

Like a statue that had fallen with the head intact, staring so deep into you

But I thank you for breaking me down instead of building me up

Just to do it over and over

Thank you.

Everyday I lay new slabs, stoops, and stairs

I see my brothers tagger and toil

hoping they'll sacrifice enough just to give their families what little they can

My youth withering at the sight of their decay

A man's home being destroyed while we build one anew

It is our foundation

you must ask if the fire of love should burn you

if a tiger should not pierce skin because a hand brushes his

all the blood you've shed
and the nights you've clothed yourself in

should they be sacrificed for a finite eternity

it is truly the apex of free will
you must choose