the new normal

with the new normal

 our want of security

 we talk round and round our sore 

so that all else is prattle 

words passing by 

but never through

ours are shallow reckonings 

weak and slaughtered

enough to humor  

pretend we're alive 

grasping for a cord of life

we induce suicide 

leaping past pain 

and splattering of blood

 the flooding tears

so, round and round we talk  

with the cool hatred of cowards 

our scabs hardening into rock 

until, until...until

the closet door is open

we  can grab our coats and run

or sit together and still

until, until...until

there is a new beginning

altered wills that free our hearts

our armored shells that blast apart

until, until...until

we prep our mouths to move again

adjust our eyes to see again

relax our lives and breathe again

until, until...until

we shut the door again