Ride #13


"Don't make waves"
the echo of such advice
seems rather hysterical
as I struggle for breath
in the murky waters
"Go with the flow
just relax and float"
such solutions seem almost tenable
until the Devil races by
in his speed-boat
and what's this rumor
about the "Great Flush?"
We were the exceptions
set to slip through the cracks
end-play the system
and escape with our identities
Now we are the examples
of the "failure of individuality"
clutching the half-deflated
illusion of escape
and our number;
all the Devil's children got numbers
Give a sigh of relief
when your number is finally called
and the flaming void beckons
as the oven door is flung open.


- Paul Malécot