the dark streets of decay: the aftermath

tenuous timetables tether

unmoved by inclement weather

gods’ fortitude have attitudes

though nothing beckons me but you

 

i am defined by all my flaws

i’m not expecting fawn and awe

i only gave up just one thing

all night walking which would bring

 

a modicum semblance of health

now i waste without any stealth

most of the time working with rhymes

till seeing double is my crime

 

i cough a lot, forget my name

on the bench in this losing game

too weak to walk the streets all night

mostly i lie that all is right

 

recent writings, still at my peak

the rest of me is an antique

uninspired, fucking tired

death makes everyone a liar

(“come on baby, light my fire”)

 

all will define what will refine

and make me more like the divine

in whom i say i don’t believe

there’s no love lost when you’re deceived

 

nothing’s more meaningless than words

when you click send nothing’s transferred

just limits of litigation

mastering mental masturbation

 

sonic echoes won’t detect

memories trenched in my last breath

published books, memorabilia

defining touch that can’t feel ya

 

assigning task all that i ask

let me for once take off my mask

so i can choose what now i feel

and know for once my choice is real

 

***