Crank, You See
isn't any ordinary monster.
It's like a giant octopus
Weaving its tentacles not just around you,
but through you.
Squeezing until you try to get away.
Try, and you hunger for its grasping clutch;
the way its tendrils prop you up, your need
intensifying exponentially every minute you
refuse to admit it's being.


Waiting for the Drop,
you know how you stand and stand and stand
in line for the most gigantic, incredible roller coaster
you've ever dared attempt?

Anticipation swelling, minute by minute by minute,
you choose to wait even longer to ride in the front car,
and, finally, it's your turn.

They buckle you in,
lock the safety bar with a jolting clunk!
Hook engaged, the chain jerks you forward.
You slowly start to climb.

crank-crank-crank

Cresting the top, time moves into overtime
as you wait for that scant hesitation just before you drop,
knowing you can't turn back.

You know how you feel in that instant?
Well, that's exactly how it feels when you
shake hands with the monster.


No Time Like That First Time
Fire!
Your nose ignites,
flameless kerosense
(and some say, Dran-o)
laced with ephedrine.

(you want to cry)

Powdered demons bite
through cartilage and sinuses
take dead aim at your brain,
jump inside.

(want to scream)

Troops of tapping feet
fall into rythym,
marking time, right between your eyes

(get the urge to dance)

Louder, louder, louder
gray-matter power
shock waves of energy
mushroom inside your head.

(you want to let go)

Detonate.
Annihilate barriers.
Bring down the walls,
Unleashing floodwaters.
Freeing long-captive dreams

To ride the current through
arteries and capillaries.
pulsing, rushing,
raging torrents
pounding against your heart;
sweeping you away.