survive

when the copper stops buzzing in your brain
and the sweat pours down your neck
i will be there to hold you when the spasm begins

the application of pain is the measure
tolerance raises the bar for the next
it’s hard to tell where the victory lies
the strange attractors have done their damage

down deep, enveloped in gloom
cast by the only bulb in the cavernous hall
you prepare to put on your show,
daring to expose all in attendance
as patrons of the darkest art of all

you mime kindness
whisper intimacy
talk of hope
shriek out love

the cacophony deafens
voices drawn tight
refusing to admit
that the one thing they have in common…
(humanity)
is the hardest thing
to achieve

glb /// “survive”
originally published 03/01/2018