Demands, Demands

Tighter, tighter
The calling shrieks in waves
all sides, closing in,
I can’t breathe

Tighter, they encroach,
my space smaller, smaller,
denser, heavy,
I can’t

I can’t move,
Closer, closer
Demands For Action
pressure on my skull

Stronger, stronger
I start to fracture,
my teeth grind,
wear away, I wear away

Heavy, heavy
bones, neurons,
misfire and misalign,
Crush me, compress me

Still calling
Demands For Movement
but I fossilize,
can’t even shiver

I am dust
dim motes, dead weight
the wind races, howls,
passes me without a nod

Quick world
with its quick people,
glory, they thrive,
I freeze

Farther, farther,
I have no arms to reach,
smothered, paralyzed,
my eyes are fixed

Watch, watch them,
listen, I can still listen,
their lives speak
not to me, not to stone

The calling fades,
laughter, compassion,
softer, softer,
and my world empties