Why don’t you loosen the reins
A gentle tug to prompt
Purpley, sunburnt
Sooty shackles to the ground.
Why don’t you lower the bar
Before it slices your head clean off
Making you wander
Like some mad headless chicken.
Why don’t you point the gun down
So your temples can stop
Throbbing
And your glands
Can start acting up.
Why don’t you let your smile fade
Take it off like boots after a hard
Day’s grind
Slip sweaty socks off
And leave them on the landing
Feel your gums breath again
Feel your teeth
Whisper thank you.