the shared experience
of being drunk roughly,
though beautifully,
relates to that
of being near death.

tranquil are the
last spoken words,
both with random mysticism
as well as maximum
effort—intense concentration.

always there is a light,
to walk toward
or hurry away from,
graceful is how you feel
but not always how you look.

friends will be present
to guide or protect you,
praying—hoping for your
hasty return to a more
centralized plain to meet them.

the mumblings you make
in these moments are
double-edged swords,
they will immortalize you,
they will keep you human.

© Conor J. Josten