how does the sky look from
down there, gutter baby?
you're the black sheep amongst
raindrops, an algaed gargoyle
your headrest.

the sun greets you like she knew
you before, with a hard slap to
the face and a 'good morning,
pretty burn-out.'

you're full of yourself and alcohol,
you are as (w)hole as the
ripped knees in your jeans.

gutter baby, you can't see
the stars tonight with tears
sewing shut your eyelids.

wear your scars like bracelets,
glow-in-the-dark and mercurial.
you lie low in the ink of the dirt,
bumblebee lines racing
down your back.

the fish scales are scraping
the lining of your throat,
alcoholic, anabolic burn to pulse
through your broken chest.

the poplar tree is five miles
away to your low-sunken eyes.
stay in the gutter one
more night, baby.
sleep it all away.