What Came Before
Article voiceover
Feed the flames with each crisp tear. Burn it all—I do not care. I'll not tarry there. What possessed my younger years? Was my pen a font of fears? Stroke by stroke it sears. Sun descends and hearth still roars. Still I lay my naked sores, Off'ring scores on scores. First a journal 'twould be wise With collegial surmise; Blue green black it dies. Here a book of scribbled shout; Wrinkles mar the page without; Legion was my doubt: Where to work, with whom to live, What to take, how much to give— Digging with a sieve. Final dread apostasy: Not a father can I see: Self-eternity. Creeping chill its space reclaims; Time the hot-head fire tames. Ash the coal-bed frames. Arms encircle self replete. Aching belly my blank sheet— Happiness complete. Wrapped in grass my back, limb-scarved. Tired! Tired! Heavy-starved! Cheeks now water-carved. Far away I see the stars. Music plays on prison bars. Softer now the scars. Spread a leaf; my soul I'll scour. Feed the flame, and nevermore What came before.