the burden of knowing

the burden of knowing yourself
is that you are now compelled
to act on that knowledge

pre-sentiment lifts all apathy
towards the anesthetic
of passing time.

it is a poison consuming
all yearning
as it ticks, clicks, and beeps

collapsing into comfortable, avoidance
of falling flat on my face resisting
the urge to savour
the concrete scrape on my cheek.

But where is the antidote?

play
p l a y
y a l p
∏ // ^ ¿

a state of suspension of the world’s sickness
an alchemy capable of turning
fear into laughter,
sorrow into passion,
dissociation into embodiment.

play is not a balm
for the burden of life
no!
it is how I know that I am alive.