Last place (18.4:Last Place)

"Words are the things that hurt,
Ryan."
the knock comes
and I grab the nearest thing
and quietly run as fast as I can
to the underground
away from my family
and into the arms of a dope
who wants my university money
the roots of a tree in the ground
where the dead burned ashes of the ground
float around like muddy fireflies
gilded in underground cages
with food and water dish substitutes-
vowels and consonants
Words murder
and force us deeper under the earth.