the voices whisper constantly

a litany

an invocation

white noise in the background of every quiet moment

gentle tolling of the bell

the dagger

the cup

an entire tarot deck come alive

thousand fates unfold at once

don’t go that way

this path is fraught with peril

death

danger

failure

inconceivable torment

allegorical ache

irreparable harm

sipping red wine to start the day

the taste is off

vinegar and pennies

anxiety and hope

intertwined like the trunks of wedding trees

like snakes in battle

twisted

coiled

one promises salvation

the other sin

the cacophony behind, eager attendees, equivalent of watching car crashes and pimples popped online, spectators spectating spectacularly

terrifically terrified

vinegar and pennies

the booming voice of insular sorrow

the timid refrains of fear

filtered

fragmented

realigned by men in hazmat suits with darkened visors, heavy mechanical breathing, leather straps and a stick to bite down on when the pain comes

it’s coming

static hiss like a swarm of bees at an apiary

the queen is in danger

the confessional booth on the side of the highway

the slot seems too low

cleanliness is next to godliness

flip a coin to determine the godly to clean ratio for a truck stop glory hole

the taste permeates genetic code

hanged man

inverted

indecision, of feeling stuck, spinning in place

never forward

never moving

vinegar and pennies

red wine and vitriol

soothe the savage soul