Let the times rise

Until they hit the ceiling fan

And break into a million pieces.

Let the times rise until they tear and burn.

Let the times rise until they run out of hot air

And drive themselves to the ground.

 

While you forever riff off others,

Never first to grab the shovel

Meant to uncover you.

Letting the times suffocate you beneath the earth

Until it’s too late to dig you up.

Let it be, let it be, let it be.

 

Let the world fail you before you fail the world.

But never let them hear you choke.

Never let them touch your heart.

And never let them taste your hope.

 

Once they see that sort of flame

They either douse it or steal it away

And feed it to their rage,

Their omnipresent inferno,

And rise higher still.

 

Let them rise while you remain

Below and alone,

Making do with what has survived the fire.

Trinkets the times have left behind

For newer, better, shinier possessions.

 

You rummage through photos,

Scavenge a book or two,

Dig up a porcelain doll.

Surrounded by memories and relationships that have nothing to do with today.

Faded,

Burnt around the edges

And covered in filth.

Just like you.