The hush before the roar,
the calm before the storm
the smell of ozone in the air
before the rain falls.
The straight stretch before the curve,
the draw of breath
before I speak the words;
so peaceful.
All this is gonna go,
either up in smoke,
or swallowed up
in the afterglow
with a sigh, or a groan.
A cry of surprise
is probably a lie;
we saw this coming
from a mile away.
Set the trap,
catch the bird.
Shut your mouth,
hear the words
to the song
as it’s being sung.
This is not a sad lament,
long evaded punishment.
Oh, it all seems Heaven sent,
but our angels
aren’t here to save us.
We’re crossing past the black and blue.
Overtures all over you
and I can’t find the platitudes
to get you over
your ignorance and malice.
A bitter pill,
a placebo,
a poison;
oh, so pleasurable!
Hands on your body,
on your throat.
Oh, God!
It escalates so quickly.
There is no time,
only one long moment.
One million breaths,
but only one life.
We all have
just one second
to make all our choices
before we face obliteration;
before we know if we’re damned,
or if we’re saved.
So set the stage
for an encore performance,
ignore no details.
This is all you have to do;
be perfect.
Quit pretending
that it’s impossible to do.
Be a perfect you.
HG – 2018
