Hello, coward. You, there, in Paradise,
Close your eyes to vicissitude. Parry
Any chance to change your attitude. Eyes
Of stone don’t weep tears, they bleed, and bury

Any chance for self-salvation. Hello,
Human, your animal is showing. Truth
Be known, you are nothing. There’s no plateau
Of grace in your wastefulness, so uncouth…

Come out, coward. You have been invaded,
Upbraiding yourself for weaknesses bought
With bartered life. Such strife should have faded
Back to the end of the beginning. Caught,

You become distraught. Why? Why cling so hard
To worthlessness? Perhaps you need a guard…

Erin Elizabeth Kelly-Moen
© Copyright 12/9/04