by Ashley Cook

A brand new show emerges from the light

Curtain rises every time your presence known

Amnesia awakes the smell of vodka breath

And your laughter turns to tickle

I cringe as if the cancer came out of remission

Silent stage

Empty thoughts of

"How's your day?"

Quickly, call the manager

The doctor!

Reverse the vacuum of this mind-set

"Life without illusion is impossible."

The concrete stairs to hell

Where fire scraped my head

Relief when you tossed me

Into the well of youth-less souls

Curtain call

Life in my room is a million Broadway

Plays piled high above the screaming