Fist held close to his heart,

Hands brushing his suit jacket,

He takes his place on stage.

 

Exchange stares like diseases

The light above is blinding,

But try not to falter

In the darkness that surrounds.

 

Breathe in, out,

That heady high grounds you:

A reminder of your weaknesses.

He bows to darkened balconies.

 

Drift back to the afternoon:

Formal in the noonday sun.

Waiting in the neat ellipse.

A flock of small black birds.

 

His gestures speak of controlled fear.

He points:

Heart, head, breathe, go.

Sweat in the shadows of the future

Their unified rigidity sealed in anxiety.

 

Watch his jaw clench.

 

Blue fire in his eyes, controlled but not hidden.

Listen to his thoughts escape.

 

‘Don’t let those old suits control you now.

I’ve got to get to Arizona,

But you look sharp tonight…

Like my friend who’s waiting

With his clockturn of a Uhaul’

 

Feel the chill of dusk’s sun.

Run back to your loves,

Their unified complacency sealed in simplicity.

 

‘It does not matter what I think

It does not matter what they write

Are you proud of what you just

Threw down tonight?’