I said
we'll tumble slowly
stumbling in our
gated dark nights

a hallowed fellow
signing us on
to make merry
godlessly, perhaps

insignificant
the ties that bind
we reciprocate, callous
to the moon he cried:
hello

the cream of light
cascading doesn't
even really mean anything
to us

a sallow youth
climbs a slick
palm tree to get
away from it

I agree, it's
rough like sand
your feet burn in
those hot coals

some conscious
effort amends us
and emblazons in us
some tawdry fear in us

These Cruel Jokes
are hardly a mistake
no clarion call could
avoid this now

I said
this short death
will have to do
and left

one lone siren
carries us
and drops us
and defiles us

what are we
if not a
measure of
trust