why

why we unwind like pencils in sharpeners
is why fire twists our faces up chimneys
why we grind time into ash
is why wicks lust for oil to escape the past

why do we do it
why do we treat ourselves so

why we brand our broken smiles with memory
is why air stumbles drunk down trunks like honey
why we inhale soft feathers of fallen words
is why sweet stampedes always seem to steer our herd

why do we do it
why do we treat ourselves so

why we kill new moons with crestfallen glances
is why we flicker like taillights trailing red distance
why we ignore maps and skid into unmarked starts
is why we need airbags installed in our hearts

why do we do it
why do we treat ourselves so

why we crackle
why we spark and fade
why we live for the explosion

is why we consume what we gave
is why we dig to escape the grave