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Altered

I've never been good with altered states
anything that tips the delicate balance of sanity
does not weigh out with me.

The world stopped moving
and you and I were alone
in the kitchen-
that night.

I coughed blood into your shoulder-
and you tentatively patted my back
The ticking you heard
was not a time bomb-
merely a counter

clicking by the moments
until the balance was restored
And when that moment came-
I looked beyond your shoulder

and saw the suspended world
so I reached out with my 
sinewy arms and grasped
at the invisible insanity

and I got on my knees
and lapped the puddle of
blood gathered on the floor.

The world jerked back
into motion-
and I was still
and sat on the couch

And laughed it off.

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