I extend myself

with my head at the opposite end

of my bed

examining the fine contours of life

breathing, I have breathed

the silent thoughts

of the coming of age

of a time when men’s minds

become their own

or not theirs at all

I have built myself and empire

of luxury

but in it I can only reach

a tiny part of myself

this is where I begin…

RyanDavid Burningham