Up From the Dust

Pain strikes a full on blow

and everyone handles it differently and slow.

The girl in the corner smokes a cigarette

the old school boy puts in his favorite cassette.

The old man takes a swig of whiskey

the young teen stuffs food in her mouth briskly.

Some handle it in ways that can’t be seen,

where they are the only ones who can witness them unclean.

The woman cries into her pillow,

some will confide in a random fellow.

Some will gamble their money away,

the few and rare will ask a stranger to stay.

Pain brings out the worst of us,

creating monsters rising up from the dust.