The Circus

Midnight mind churns. Tension bones stiff toward the door. Wind whistles. Clenched teeth. Shoes shuffle on battered damp pavement. Tavern sounds draw near, the distance of four lamp posts. Hands roll in front pockets, head sweat in cold. Circus of brake lights and neon signs, mixed w/ laughter and cries. Oblivion sought to see stars. The universe within, locked out. Awful chest contraction. Sickly virus that spreads. Hand trembles table surface, a rattle sets upon the head. Reach out for numbness. Desperate search in stranger's eyes. Pound doors without answer. faces all turn away. Bounce off panicked thoughts. A quicksand of sound pulls them away. Brokenness bandaged over w/ each drink. Confidence swings towards the bottom where lost ones slide across the floor. Night follows night. Back at it again. A hope to be taken into a tide, swallowed. Mercy takes me - away from this desperate hold.