Nights of sullen smog
put a record on
fading songs and mumbled lyrics
burning whales washed up at your door
all that was promised was
a summer of lies
vibrating in your throat
pulsing, scarring itch
resting atop the life-needle’s edge
gasping at eroding breath
mathematically deconstructing
exhaling static energy
none have returned
from gazing silvan centers
don’t ask their names
feeders of souls
placeless natives
each a beggar
dwellers in bottomless holes
faithless masses
toxic droplets
ruined rivers
a faceless people
pushed into the callous waves
run, rabbit
run.