There is nothing but shadows br On this desolate afternoon; br The light of hope br And the flame of compassion br Are no longer seen, br Snuffed out like a candle’s wick br Or a child’s dream. br I don’t know br What anything means, br This groping along ledges br And fearing the ravine, br The knowledge br Of pain and pointlessness. br br I’m not wrapped in love br I’m hidden in plain sight br Making my way br Along cruel, unforgiving streets br Where the girls all wear br Dark soul-concealing clothes br And have broken heart tattoos, br Where mistreatment is expected, br Where unprincipled pimps br Take a girl’s rent br And slap her in the deal. br Everyone has lost br The power to feel. br br Abstract platitudes br And sublimely-painted poetry br At this moment only annoy me, br I have no confidence br That anything will ever be right br Or return to me a cosmic night br Of jubilant celebration. br Everything just spirals downward br Where satanic forces wait with glee br To carve away at your humanity br With razor-sharp knives of depression br Until your real self is eliminated.