they text me
try this
i try that
text back
no change

then i sit

they text me
try this
i try that
text back
no change

then i sit

they text me
have you tried this
i snapshot
the previous
exchange
and remind them
no change

i have sat
for hours
paced the two
hundred and fifty
two steps around
this cell
waiting for

they text me
let’s try this
i do not scream
it is pointless
i try this
text back
no change

i look for
hidden cameras
this is a
prank
they are watching
laughing as
i try this
this incomprehensible
this meaningless
this joke

they text me
they are stumped
can i tell them
from the beginning
what exactly
have i tried

i have died
my body flung halfway
through the
windshield
sparrows pecking
my sightless eyes
a child sits
in the starbucks
staring at my corpse
a glint in her
soft brown gaze
my soul thrust
into this hell
this eternity of
trying this
as the demons cackle

they text me
can you come back
tomorrow
we have a list
of things
we can try