It was nothing quite like it is right now I was stuck in the the past-tense Pausing as a person defined by now
It was held together by strength Simply a mock-up, merely a puppet That could talk to my fear or whim
I was told not to sleep but rather to re-think Why does purpose always point to conquest?
I can make matters from ashes Biting on the skin from my own lip
I was writing the preface To the purpose of a future that will never exist Compelled to be preempted by a time I depict