grey sidewalks lead to grey buildings

black pavement spinning; cold touch on my shoulder

ignored; lights seek and find revolving targets

as you've found yours, my sights askew sent

daggers in misleading directions

civilians stand fixated, turned to stone by your medusa act

barracades erect as badges flail in a fallacy of order

heart thunders; tribal drums of warriors hunting me

marching, spears drawn and ready, closer, closer

a centipede of snipers whose aim is true

drumming, strides aligned in time, louder, louder

towering trees devour what is left of the moonlight

i run, bouncing off granite bark

ripping at my flesh, branches leave lip prints on my face

while thorns bite my legs with smiling teeth

I fall, burying myself in mud

ticks and leeches alike, find shelter under the leaves

yet I cannot cover my stench.