focused
on an indiscriminate point
between what was
and what will never be
these memories
are the fulcrum
i cling to
teeter-toting
on the edge
of hopelessness

potential
has become
a rope on a pulley
hung from heaven
and reaching down
into hell

each measure i pull
each meter i climb
concedes more slack
even after hours of drawing
my scenery hasn’t changed
down here
at the bottom

this is my infernal paradigm
tendons form the belts
and nerves the wires
that keep this engine running
a clockwork nightmare

exertion

i sweat the ink
that paints this scene of hunger

perhaps in my marrow
i will find
the sustenance
i need to survive
and from my hollow bones
build the scaffolding
that i can climb
to rise above this



{Published in the "Eyrie" literary magazine, Tallahassee Community College, 2002}

01/10/2002

Posted on 01/10/2002
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