Shut-eye free
—dedicated to Tia

I walked on Valium and walls—stole 
The hours of dismay—a white spider 
Face-plastered with eight hands, four eyes, 
And sixteen sights—took little bites
Of dreary violet daybreak and purple light. 
It was my clay of mind that 
Would not sediment—for it was that stirring 
Filth of past that woke—and tormented
The red shivering sand 
Into a sludge of ailment, where 
I was questioned.

Dale Chou
2002-12-04