Coping

Wealth I found

past the cracked shoreline

where the temper of the rain

is always less than kind.

Across the grass gone to rot

in fields capped gray

seared to pathetic dust

fed on by insects

and home to spiders.

Beyond the sealed tops of wells

whose water had all soured

from dirt made mud

reeking of sulfur

which fouled the clarity

and the taste.

Against the backdrop

of a melted sun

pouring its soul

into an endless blue

as night shadowed close

to extinguish the light.

Deep in the badlands

mind spinning wildly

sparking against the solitude

a heart caught flame

and in the darkness

exposed the gold

staining each footprint.