Let them breathe in the air

of the sweet

and the sullen

For another day is yet to come

for the beaten

and the silly

To arrive to a conclusion

not, still, divulged but expected

Because to break a character

is to break the ice, the waves, the habit and the free

Or flee

Or fight

Or fright

Yet they fawn over the idea

that in a moment’s notice

death will come knocking

at a door

not yet discovered

Bring them to a light, to clear pathways, ship

With eyes wide shut

so they may not notice

how it’s freezing cold

Good and Old

Hot and Sturdy

and full of scurvy