Bitter Ecstasy

All feeling, no life
Electric darkness
All fire, no flame

Shadow
Pleasure
Shadow
Wholeness
Deep cold
No response

For eyes, unfathomed glory
For ears, unbridled passion
For body, unspeakable pleasure
For mind, wonder
For heart, nothing

A wheel for a hamster
The crowning achievement
Both portal and cage

— —

And yet, I am refreshed.
Milk from a wire mother.
Simulated warmth.

I go in a child and
Stand up a king.
I walk away smiling.

What is vice?
Why complain?

Demosthenes Fourtyeight

Written by

d48 is an American-born psychologist and author. He is also a person IRL, but his IRL alter-ego does not wish to be named.