Frayed nerves

days that start and end in the dark

landing 

on a precipice

casting round 

for foothold; 

the cliffs warm embrace.

Instead I bang into 

four walls 

of my own making

a random room 

Full of empty space.

Somewhere

out there

beyond me

you strum

They say

idle hands 

make the devils work. 

Feverish 

I pace the floor

doing

mindless

thankless tasks

carrying water 

chopping wood

doing things

that should

be good.

Somewhere

out there

beyond me

you strum

Paint and paper

need more

peace of mind

what's left of mine

races

and hums

over fingers

muscle

bone

retracing

my attachments

to my satisfaction

to this crescendo 

or that 

distraction

Somewhere

out there

beyond me

you strum

Loose ends

will make a fool of you

loose ends 

will tie

you up

and bind you down

loose ends 

will knit you into

futures

that unravel you

loose ends 

long threads

loose ends

empty beds

Somewhere

out there

beyond us

we strum