Each day we walk a tightrope of pressurized rules

Souls ignited by raucous lights

Our empty backs

Balance us

While we wait

To sprout wings

One day

And finally Rise.

But when we did

Merely flying was not enough, we had to soar

So some went up

Up

Up

Icarus to his sun

Until finally dropping

Past us

Past the tightrope

Into oblivion

We watched them plunge.

Those foolish enough to reach out a hand

Plummeted too

Devoured

Our Procrustean mots

Shackle us to indistinguishable chatter

Whisper into our hands

Kiss our souls

Seven seconds is all it takes

For you to slap a scanty label on a stranger

For a stranger to throw a scanty label on you

Because everyone wants to feel in control over their lives

Wants to be in control

The ephemeral joy of giving

Is only nothing more than empty

crushing down

Down

Down

Drown me in vacuity

In halting awareness of the heart’s pulse

Fill me with lion marigold

Let it bloom.

Aviate above

This time,

Do not fall off the tightrope again.