Today began like watered down coffee
Diffused and weak
Pale brown, not black, nor bitter enough
To chase away a wasted night.

Can’t afford sleep and death won’t pay,

Overdue bills slouch against hangover
Pills for breakfast
Stare as telephone’s insistent ring
Interrupts blind, serrated headache.

Life has become a border state.

Once upon a time, it was all good.
Little Boy Blue loved Red Riding Hood.
But Big Bad Wolf caused fortune to change,
Cost blue little boy his crying game.

Years come, years go, and nothing remains,

In stasis, alone among friends who want
Advice, comfort,
Sorrows shared, money borrowed, remnants
Recouped from the near-living dead.

Carefree castles collapse from weight.

What recourse can be found in faith,
When those who hear abandoned pleas
Refuse to speak?
Tonight will end in harlequin eclipse.