barbed

barbs dig into my leg

they make a funny sound when i walk,      no,

an interesting sound

                                  enough so that i won't

remove them   

                      enough so that they'll slowly pierce

deeper into the skin

                                 buried there & 

                                                      enough so that

when i recall their presence

i'll allow them to feed on my flesh

consuming my life     leaving my memory

for dead.

Alarms

thunder that shakes city street
is the risen crane's body
rain to keep the drills wet
burrowed under sewer grates

     'cross town with uber fare
     a pleasurable hell

you who would seek escape
I
grant
you

Three (3)
days Leave

Now! Go!

     find your "peace"

how many days have you paid?

what was the cost?

answer is silence
     silence is midnight when the subway is quiet
when the meter has rung

the morning cracks with the weight of alarm
     work begins when you breathe.