Thank God

I can't seem to do much these days

except light my next cigarette

with the butt from the last one

and choke on the smoke that's

hitting my throat

and cough down a rough sip of crown

while I wonder why the world is this way,

all the ignored wished to gods that are prayed,

unknowing, innocent beings thrust into lives of pain

sleight of hand realities, distracting dualities,

smoke and mirrors to cough and cut yourself on

existential bloody draining of humanity

ripped, beaten,

whipped, and cheated

given handfuls of life's lemons and razor blades

to choke it all down in one gulp

and surrender, beg, for something better

than your stinging lips and tongue

with your sewn shut eyes,

broken tear ducts,

and absent god