quantum respite

when giving up is better than giving in

when failure is the only option apart
from not trying at all

when you look and pray that it is not
coming for you

but you know it is just by the speed
with which it comes

and the nothingness beyond seems
brighter than all the stars that
have fell at your feet

and the clock keeps ticking away
like the sound of your heart
when it's on fire

no one notices until you have
already established where you're
headed because they can't make
themselves see for the fear of who
they are and the reflection is far too
terrifying to keep to themselves

and that grinding noise that keeps you
awake at night, the sound of all the gears
working despite themselves in a machine
that takes up the entirety of space and time

and all you want is a little respite, a little
peace after all you've been through,
but they won't let you sleep

the hours pound
the coils tighten
the voices scream
to be noticed
and the troubles
never fade

you stop, but the motion
spins and turns in on itself
and the ride is never ending

so you make the best of it
while you're here, but you're
afraid you're just taking up
space.