every death i’ve died.

every person i see

each place that i’ve been

invites death to my door,

to sleep in my bed.

each thought that i think,

every word that i write

holds a blade to my throat

and still twists the knife.

when will this death

die out from within.

it pierces and prods

and breaks on my skin.

this death knows my name

it remembers me well,

pervading all that i am

only leaving the shell.

which death must i die

to truly find life,

to get through the darkness,

and outlast the plight.

i continue to bleed,

still the questions don’t cease,

no matter to death

to offer me peace.

t.w.