still alive

through the fire
through the flames
through the trials
through the games

still standing 

suffering cracks

blue and black

with understanding

crowbarred vision

forced to see

all the things

that could be

but never were

for want of 

one ingredient 

or ten

then the drums start to beat

a lonesome dirge

a howl 

a summon

gravel crunching 

under an arched foot

a gun shot

a whisper

a prayer

a promise from a fool

still alive