corners




cuts
deep and throbbing


blood soaking







dripping




clocks
either stopped or ticking



burn bright, my little fire atop the mountain

streaming edges of color streaking through lucid, blood tinged green eyes
breaking pen after pen

this is my last

the crown of secrets has been set upon my brow once more
donning my mantle of cross stitched shadows
sitting upon the throne of bones


this is my kingdom





a kingdom of broken thoughts

the realm of farewells

...to dreams...




the sickened, hacking, coughing, wheezing, carbon monoxide exhale decrees

the laughing blood choked whispers of pain



and the stained, broken language of glances






speaking in eye movements


reading something in every nothing





the depressed call to me

seeking the attention of the anesthetized
(all except my love)


begging to be spoken for
to be noticed by their king


to be sanctified, villified, talked to, cheered up, advised








loved







to them
love is a kiss that reeks of alcohol on their 21st birthday

which they'll never remember



to me


love is a fire that must be fed the right fuel



but apathy is easier to mix






a shot of green
a sugar cube
and fifteen seconds of flame
swirl it together and toss it down




the time to judge and measure is nigh

i've always left a shadow
in every life i've touched





whether they see it or not





it's sort of like having a master key into the soul of everyone you know


and i am the dutiful king


i whisper my will
my thoughts
my cheer
my love
sanctuary
justification

to those who walk my broken land



the broken land everyone wants citizenship to





the land of the lost




"this rubix cube keeps eating me up, ben"




whispers the head that wears the crown




i still hear all of their thoughts



even when my eyes are closed




and in those rare moments of peace i know








it's still me at the helm














in the eye of the storm