My head aches when I think about an existence based on constant validation and attention. It wears me down like the spot where I put my elbow.

“When?” again and again. Always the when and the now. Always quick to judge and distort reality.

There’s a parade of men that find themselves going nowhere. The lead float has floated away to some rolling rock, carrying extra hearts along the way.

Coughs have rendered me unfit to breathe. My throat is tearing its way out of me. I hold onto as much as I can for the sake of empathy.

The kindnesses are limited.