i am a warfield

when the sun rises

and my bed kicks me out

i wrap five ropes around my chest

hoping they'll hide my heart

(beating, beating, crimson, alive)

snakes around my lungs

make every breath a hiss of pain

how long can i last today?

can anyone tell?

(breathing, breathing, weightless)

i choke on words and secret glances

my mask is of brick and mortar

and i'm not sure if my spade is for

building up or breaking through

(hiding, hiding, praying, hoping)

marks are dug into my ribs

like trenches in a war

my body is a battleground

and i'm not sure who is winning

(victory can't come soon enough.)