I’ll have truly earned
the scorn & derision
of the critics
whence I finally
release this dribble
but I won’t walk the plank
of Orizaba
& follow Crane to a death
of either asphyxiation
or shark meal
the pundits will get their say
and the reviews will be severe
but I fear not
the harshness of acidic pens
that tear my heart to shreds
and leave me for dead
the kindness of strangers
has bailed my ass before
& plucked me from the abysss,
fed me, rescued me
and sent me on my way
Surely, some kind soul
will prop me up again.