calloused now
tender once
responsive too
not any more
not any more
calloused care
calloused love
calloused conversations
calloused like
cold weak coffee
in a tea cup
with a broken saucer
an absent pout
and an uncomfortable handle
chapped flesh
chapped now
ready to rise, once
even at the slightest hint
of anticipation
not any more
not any more
chapped optic fibres
chapped digitized images
chapped bytes, never taken
chapped like
the autumn leaf
with toothless blades
collapsed veins
and a defeated midrib
numb arms
lifted once
spread-eagled too
not any more
not any more
numb medication
numb marrow in the bones
numb dull throb
numb like
the wishing well
at the centre of the skeletal town
decrepit
with wishes lying at the bottom
stagnant lost forever paying
the cost of a dead dime
this is it
this is it
is it?
wish it's not
thinking it is
knowing
nothing
calloused
chapped
numb
desires
being sadistic
with themselves
sad with pleasure
happily sick with pain
longing
for an outer body experience
pathetic
compilation of dead living cells
their temerity
such self-love
incredulous
all in vain
this skin
this flesh
these limbs
are broken
but never can they
break free
try if you have to
try
drill the callous
shred the chap
cudgel the numb
and all you'l still get
is a broken
piece of you
further
broken into two
this flesh
these limbs
are broken
but never can they
break free