Deadlocked

Hear their words talk. talk. talk. right through me a sword-

Shut them down, turn it off, even these are fighting words.

Make a promise to breath and bypass a nurse,

fake a quick smile and shut the door on myself

Do these talkers, fighters, even want to be free?

Will I forever resent their indifferent reprieve?  

Watching them navigate through listless denial-

Brag about charges for armed robbery and assault

Now I’m calming the nagging subconscious dent

-in my head where it’s darker than if I were dead

If I can’t find grateful in the thoughts that I keep…

I will shake off the shivers that keep me from sleep