Glass (poem)

By Luke Labern

Glass. Full.
Even when it's empty
Two hours to go
Until everything's alive again.

Couldn't wait too long
Before I remind my self
Of what matters more
Than money, love or health.

No guesses necessary.
Life. Never.
I may not ever
Although the threat looms large.

Harmonise. It's the best
You can offer, because
I know you, and you
Can and never will sympathise.

I no longer say "I want",
Or "need". I do. It's done.
I will.
Longer it goes, the more I know.

Come drug or dirty water,
Loss of company and betrayal,
Catch, throw or caught her,
Nothing matters more.

Shaking won't change my aim.
Fame won't change my name.
Hate won't save your life.
Love won't prevent strife.

Black and white,
A dash of purple,
Nihilism and optimism:
Seven Solitudes.

Cut off what you will.
Placate your emptiness,
Or, make the fabled mistake.
Life will aways be for you
Far, far too hard to take.
But I will still be waiting
For the world to taste the fruit
I've been growing for years,
Stunned and shocked by their buds.

Look at my face:
No genetic blueprint,
No biology,
No explanation
Comes close to exegesis.
I am not like you
And I love it
Far more than you want to.

I hear you talk
Of love, and love, and love—
Life is passing you by,
And you are wasting your time.

You can't take a fucking thing
But all you want is wealth.
Don't you know that weight will kill you?
Don't you remember how to wait?
Can't you make the leap and listen?
Can I—should I—even try
To blaze a trail only those on fire
Can comprehend?

I often wonder who I'm hoping for
Because I know I'm already dead.

A year is lost
A life is gained.
A mind compressed
A body pained.
Total inequality:
One action ends
Your fucking life.
You miss your friends?
You never had them—
Perhaps you never will.
The only thing that matters
Is the power of your will.
You dare question that
And give doubt a home?
Embrace the wanderlust
Embrace the absurd
Take the meaning you've created
And make a choice:
Do you want to be known for who you are
Or listen to those who've no idea?
When everywhere you turn
Is nothing but the same,
Is it any wonder you're unimpressed
And haunted by the claim?
Don't be. You're everything you love
And not a thing you hate
Has ever crept within.
I have no time for them
But all the time for you:
Back yourself, for everything you deserve
Is coming to you.