time is a big black bird
that swallows you before the dawn
a well of days running dry
harrowing youth with utter scorn

you’re stuck in the bird’s craw
like jonah in the whale’s belly
you’re trapped down deep in a well
like hot water & gemelli

time to clip that bird’s wings
to sharpen up the silver knife
cut open its stinky throat
remove the guts of your half-life