By Ed Kennedy
I’ve found a technique to calm my mind,
Lying in bed, I think of darkness,
In a void, downward falling,
No escape, emptiness eternally.
I spoke to a friend, the kind
you can share these things with.
He’s an artist, plays the cello,
Knows about baroque.
When pity swelled in his eyes,
Heat prickled my skin,
And the knot coiled tight in my stomach.
Did he really think I was…?
He suggested I imagine space, floating, stargazing,
A serene traveller of worlds beyond my own,
Flickers of light dancing into infinity.
Regret draining away. I think we discussed politics next.
I tried maybe the next night, or soon after,
And I caught glimpses of the dazzling, it was wondrous.
But of course, I knew it wouldn’t cut it.
The light faded, sucked in by its insatiable pull.
And soon I was tumbling, spacesuit and helmet off.
Suffocating in the dark, horrible abyss.
The last thing I felt was my mouth smiling,
As I fell into deep sleep.