A raccoon and a dog
  Playing poker
On a bed of nails
Found after days of 
   finally slowing down and 
        listening 
“My mind is racing 
     like my creator, smoking 
         lying supine, chitawick
            on his bed 
                only blue sour ink” - 
Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker
 
Bolt upright after the dream of
      Cutting my own throat 
    with a dull knife
Starts here
With all the passion and confusion 
There is 
a
Middle part

Then it ends
Love to everyone 
A wish, but not actually true, 
      (not being Jesus)
  and all 
Interested parties at the Bell jar
    In the cave 
       with a gallon of whiskey 

Holding the disrespect 
    I have for myself 
It will eventually end
    Then it does end

Is that when the listening stops?
  
The murmur of ferry voices
    Crossing the river
      To the dark dark wood
           On the other side of this hell

Bright Angel of mercy … on fire
   Slowly turning to ash
The ashes are turned 
    into golden poker chips

August 8, 2024 SGL – Brunswick, ME