T   E   L   E   G   R   A   P   H



P   U   N   C   H

a body in motion
wrapped in metal skin

Trees, signs, and strangers
zoom past in a blur
and while one sun sets
many clouds rise
to drench my spirit
in torrential rain
and golden light

What is this world I'm in?

What is this heaven and hell
of dreams and futility and loss
where freedom, love, and want
have become euphemisms
for life in a cage?

What a lie it is!

As the rain blasts against
this metal exoskeleton
propelling me toward
a new dark future
where strength is lost
beauty turns gray
and scragged hair
and fragile bones
and lost lovers
spill over an event horizon
into death

I think on all that has passed
and all that is passing
while sighing back tears
of fear and loss
and every flashing signal
takes me in a circle
to a destination
of lessened return

Another fatality of the road