i am on the high wire
throwing, spitting words
and verbs
but nobody comes, not unless you tell them too
not unless you say its cool
nobody thinks for themselves
anymore
anyway

they will all, one by one, wither
into distance
out of existence
while their footprints
fossilize and become the earth

from the doorway
desperate footage reveals
an inhumane right of passage
a ritual of fate
and forgiveness
while the bum in the back alley
screams out blood and wine
and cigarettes

the dormitory window flickers with rape

the corner store shuts down

and as the attendant of your life
walks out the door
and closes shop

you think for a second
"where to now?"