Drunken Change for the Drinking Well Full of Flies

 (New Year's 2023)

                I.

Hopeless Romantic?—

time to PANIC!—

so set your Clocks

to Not.

and Finalize your Empathy

while the Empire Falls Beneath.

...and Look!—the Birds!—

in Flight, Falling,

as our Explosions

kill and maim—

remember follies

and good deeds Ending

in tears and searches

for Meaning.

—Celebrations loud

enough to deafen

even the Pilot,

         of this Screaming Engine...

What have we Made

that really Stays?—

but Sounds of War

as Children Smile?—

They roll the Dice

we place our Bets.

they have our Hope

we hold their doubts—

we point a finger,

we scorn, we mock—

from Here we Descend,

from Here,    ...we Rot.

Change the Scene?—

what have you to Sell?—

what haven't you Seen

already in Hell?—

sell what IS

not what is NOT—

from This we Descend,

from That, we Rot.

            II.

Reduction to Pity—

shove Doubt aside—

these never commend,

nor coincide

with Perfect Vision—

not Yours, not Theirs—

but watch your back

as the neighbours stare—

waiting for You,

    to Return the Glare.

and sop up the Year

with your filthy rags

and wrap up the Time

with your snotty sleeve

and remember the Rent

was due last week

and the name of the drunk

asleep on your floor.

and remember your Name

when you go back to work

and remember what you thought

Belonging was Worth. 

If it's good it will die

if it's great, ignored—

if it's shit it will reign—

Forever Adored—

from This we Descend,

with Them, ...we Rot.

Diminishing Currents

are Active tonight—

they'll Drown The Conductor

giving Value to Life!—

so Celebrate Now

(but Suffer Tomorrow)

and Remember to Bow

when from This,

               You Borrow.

From Nothing, We Ascend,

                 Then Drop.