Bled my way
into deals with the devil.
Shed my skin
didn’t recognize my face.
All this is so insane,
it seems ordinary.
Wish I’d never done
what I’ve done
to escape.
Played a game
rung by rung.
Catch a glimpse of it.
Climb up
on the shoulders of my friends
and try to see tomorrow.
See the snake.
I know that’s how it ends.
Down in the dirt again.
So quick to put my name
on the paper and claim
things to which
I had no right
to gain.
Suffer the embrace.
Coils tight,
and jaws unhinged.
Time devours everything.
We can look and see
hawks in the sky,
living with the wings
they were prescribed.
While another page
across to me slides
and I’m asking,
“Where do I sign?”
Lightheaded, now.
I can barely make out
the hood,
and the slit-pupil eyes.
Somewhere behind
my next crime
is a ladder
that leads to the light,
but I’ll have to get free
of myself
before I can climb.
So slow to live.
So quick to die.
I’m gonna learn in time.
Not sure I’ll ever be satisfied,
I’m playing the game of my life.
DJR – 2023
