Prayer for Escape
-“Thou has the key of Paradise, oh just, subtle and mighty opium.”
-Thomas De Quincy
Confessions of an English Opium-Eater
These are the nights which
spiral down to seconds
between decades of lows…
Blessed is this arm, strong
with vibrant veins
the streams to higher consciousness.
Blessed is this vial, protector
of brown powder
the treasure chest of my soul.
Blessed are this spoon and fire, hot
springs of liquid gold
the relaxant of a tense mind.
Blessed is this syringe, sharp
underworld acupuncture
the escape of a limited body.
Blessed is she, my heroine
who smacks me
with the key of paradise.
O god, these are the nights-
cold, claustrophobic nights- which
spiral down to seconds of
jittery junk between
decades of lows.