A SOBER WORLD

Zhen P
2 min readAug 16, 2023

“Come down off of that high” — The world screamed

As soon as I set foot across the line, the world turned with rage

Why must you be so happy they questioned

Not understanding the depth of reality

They at once struck down their sword of want and routine

They wanted no one to be outside of their own mind jail

“Come down off of that high”- The world commanded

Slowing down the tide, the time was right, I had all the might

And then it turned so fast, the world won

For a brief moment-

The world had it their way

They enjoyed the joyless sorrow

“In fun and play, this is what we do”- they said

“We strip you off of your dreams and bury them deep below the fears that you’ve been fed”

The world doesn’t come out to play

The brick walls and networked boxes are life is all they believe

Stepping on the grass and feeling the wind is a thing of the distant past

Seeing a strand of hair blow off of my face the world screamed again

“Come down off of that high- Don’t you smile and don’t you frolic”

“There’s much to be done, the earth has to be dug and wood to be cut”

Too much work to be done they said

All in a race to stay alive

All in a race to win the false prize- A crown of golden bones

Blood sucked out and brains scrambled in this world

But a crown of gold keeps it turning day in and out

Nightfall comes and the thought settles again

Cross the line and forever be free with the sun

Leave the world turning; they won’t even notice a lost slave

There’ll be 1000 more born out of standard life expectancy

Every day will be consumed with filth and more

Should I jump the line- or forever be a kid of the cage

The sweet night breeze comforting and light

Whispers prayers of delight and swirls my hair once again

In spirit the earth is right

A massive fix and some healing attention are more valued than a run across the line.

The sun breaks the silent night

“Get off of that high” — The world screams for the first time this day.

The looped life begins again.

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Zhen P

Freewriting on time, space & movement. p.s. leave no trace