by Ty Russell
when you feel fear rising
in your throat
crowding out the vast landscape
of your soul
greet him as you would
an old friend
learn from what he has to say
listen
but not too much
then when he turns his back
stab the fucker in the soft spot
between his ribs
choke him
set him on fire
like a den of hibernating snakes
and let the light show you the way
for what is coming
is coming regardless
it’s already on its way
we don’t need a false messenger
to tell us