at what point
is it safe to
give up on a dream
to relinquish hope
aceepting there is
no silver lining
just toxic rain
coming to melt
the failing flesh
from brittle bone?

how far negative
can one descend
before the unhappy
realization that
it is never as bad
as it will become
the shrinking dot
of light a reminder
rock bottom is just
a rung on sprial
staircase much closer
to the top than
a final respite?

when can it be
accepted that a
threadbare satchel
of polite rejections
is as near acceptance
as reality colliding
with handspun wishes
only deepens the hole
swallowing the sun
as shadows lengthen
and many sundered
prayers go unheard?