life is a series
of unrestful naps
broken up by
exterior stresses
a constant cycle
of waking up
unprepared for the
fresh batch of
horrors floating
just outside

life is an expectation
that despite all of
the empirical data
that suggests it is
mostly slowly rotting
by working hard for
someone else’s
interests that there is
a way to get ahead

life is filled with
fleeting glimpses of
unimaginable beauty
bringing the ugliness
into stark light

life is waking up
tired and never
quite finding rest
until it all falls
apart around you
it is clinging to
dreams that crumble
in sweaty palms
while lamenting all
the mistakes made
while staring up
at the ceiling
unable to sleep
before starting anew