come here to me
I wanted you to come here
you’ve been listening like me
to the sound
sweet child
what will you do now?
you wanted to come in
now you’re right on the edge
most of you who come
listening to the sound
hear only the beauty
bright colors
long nights
like dancing or drugs
love
then some of you
make those sounds too
and grow afraid
and shrivel up
all of the shrivelers gather round
chanting
until you can no longer hear anything
maybe that isn’t you
maybe you’re the worst kind of us
who hear the sound
but don’t listen
it’s the sound of a monster, you know
life and death
fate too
you get to decide what happens
listen to its sound stretch out from your mouth
every sound you make is divine
the gods hear each one
and then speak back
you’ll feel like a murderer
the village will turn
to see your face fall
their mouths open
as they reach for the telephone
to summon the guards
don’t worry about them
they’re already behind you
it’s inside you now
you’re their judge
and guardian
but only if you’re strong enough to withstand them
here, have something to eat
I know you traveled a long way
you can feel their hunger for you
their rage
since they don’t have ears they want to rip yours off
or convince you to do it
why do you think they built temples near to the village
but up high
why do you think monks seclude themselves?
if you listen you’ll hear many things
they’ll come inside you
and change your nature
like pulling the skin off of your face
to reveal the fire