Bedside

to my friend...

with something to prove
and everything to lose
with your blank stare into space
and the academic challenge
of mediocrity
and your fear in your bones
and your pride
to ne'er confront
the dark side of the world
but only to sleep underneath it all

i pray that you don't sleep for too long
or that you don't remember redemption
without the fall
and that the stench of depravity
ne'er leaves your bedside