Lecture to the Wall
Thought you were homeless and needed help
how did I know I was the lonely, desperate one.
You walked in with nothing but skin on bones;
that hole in your arm from selling plasma.
You looked hungry like a bad pup on the run.
Thought I was in charge of my time and space;
freedom’s illusional proportions and myth.
Thought you were seeking what you couldn’t
own; didn’t know your excellent connections.
Was going to give you this talk about bridges:
About how you shouldn’t set fires while you
dawdle in the middle.
How you’ll get blistered and drenched. You’re so perfect; don’t want to see that up in smoke. Felt like cheap shit – yellow with jealousy. I stayed
dishonest till you took money. Damn men preach, “Get a job. Be stable. Earn.” You’ve got your fears – can’t stick around too long. What you said about being alive and feeling it, About depression ‘cause no one sees the trick, deep despairs of poor kids with defective folks. I think I made you all up ‘cause I’m a stupid fool. Can’t be any real feelings between imaginary beings. If there’s a spirit then everyone here’s it. All the same. When one person dies – frightened in the night – you and I sleep our paranoid dreams. O, morning . . .