Decay

July 08, 2025, Snickerdoodle

I watch my town decay.
Zombies with minds destroyed by drug dependence shuffle the street.
Cars swerve recklessly at the slightest sign of aggression.
Red faced imps turning purple if you so much as look at them wrong.

I come into contact with the decay.
A friendly smile met with a middle finger.
Self absorbed pigs brute forcing their way past, unable to look up, make eye contact or use the words 'excuse me.'
An endless supply of apathy and hatred.

I try to keep my distance, mind my own business, keep to myself, stay in the background
But the miasma drifts and infects me.
My thoughts and actions become poisoned.

I my heart becomes filled with needles and my stomach with lava.
My vision is dark and stained red.
Venomous words fly from my mouth.
I look myself in the mirror.
Monster.
I withdraw.

At home, I stay inside and come out when the stars sing.
No one is around. Stay away from people.
In bed, on my little rectangle, I see world decay.
The internet holds nothing but provocation and violence.
The things I once took joy in boil and fester with disease.
The media turns into fear mongering and misinformation.
Turn it off.

I lose the energy to hold it together.
My mind falls into the black pit.
I decay.